FOOD ADULTERATION INVOLVING SILDENAFIL: A CASE REVIEW OF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR V INTAN BIOTECH INDUSTRIES SDN BHD [2025] MLJU 1245

Authors

  • Nur Iwana Safi Muhammad Hamizad Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/inslae-proceedings.324

Keywords:

Food adulteration, Sildenafil, Halal Forensics, Food Safety

Abstract

Food adulteration is an increasingly worrying issue as it involves the addition of unauthorised substances to food products which can affect consumer safety and product integrity in the market. The case of Public Prosecutor v Intan Biotech Industries Sdn. Bhd. [2025] MLJU 1245 involved the alleged sale of Yusmira Brand Black Turmeric Coffee which contained Sildenafil, a pharmaceutical ingredient which is not permitted in food. This article aims to analyse the facts of the case, the methods of proof presented and the issues arising from the case from the aspects of Islamic law, food regulation compliance and consumer health implications. This study uses a qualitative approach through document analysis of court judgments and related literature sources. The results of the analysis show that although the existence of Sildenafil in the product in question can be proven through scientific analysis, the prosecution failed to prove that the product originated from the accused company. This case also highlights the importance of product integrity, supply chain traceability and the effectiveness of food regulation enforcement in addressing the issue of food adulteration. This study is important as a reference in raising awareness about food safety, consumer protection and the importance of compliance with food standards and legislation in Malaysia.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Boettcher, M., Nowotny, B., Krausche, R., & Becker, C. (2023). Evaluation of the influence of sildenafil on the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of vericiguat in healthy adults. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 62(3), 321–333. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40262-022-01203-5

Giuliano, F., Jackson, G., Montorsi, F., Martin-Morales, A., & Raillard, P. (2010). Safety of sildenafil citrate: Review of 67 double-blind placebo-controlled trials and the postmarketing safety database. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 64(2), 240–255. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02254.x

Gunardi, S., Awang, M. S., Salleh, M. M. H. M., & Ab. Halim, M. ‘Afifi. (2021). Panduan makanan dan minuman halal: Kajian menurut perspektif Syariah dan perundangan Malaysia. Dalam E-Prosiding Seminar Antarabangsa Islam dan Sains (SAIS) 2021 (pp. 45–58). Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia.

Halim, N. R. A., Mutalib, S. A., Ghani, M. A., & Hashim, H. (2024). Food safety regulations implementation and their impact on food security level in Malaysia: A review. International Food Research Journal, 31(1), 20–31.

Harwanto. (2025, 11 Februari). Penipuan dalam perspektif Islam: Tinjauan Al-Qur’an dan Hadis. Majelis Tabligh PWM Jateng. https://majelistablighpwmjateng.com/artikel/penipuan-dalam-perspektif-islam-tinjauan-al-quran-dan-hadis/

Ibn Taymiyyah, A. (1995). Al-Ḥisbah fī al-Islām. Dār al-Kutub al-ʿIlmiyyah.

Jackson, G., Montorsi, P., & Cheitlin, M. D. (2006). Cardiovascular safety of sildenafil citrate (Viagra®): An updated perspective. Urology, 68(3 Suppl.), 47–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2006.06.005

Jalaluddin, N. H., & Ahmad, Z. (2011). Hallyu di Malaysia: Kajian sosiobudaya. Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, 27(2), 203–219.

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1315: The book on business. (n.d.). Sunnah.com. https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:1315

Lee, S. L., Hassim, J. Z., & Yaakob, H. (2025). Rising food poisoning incidents in Malaysia: Proposing stricter legal measures against food traders. UUM Journal of Legal Studies, 16(2), 194–215. https://doi.org/10.32890/uumjls2025.16.2.11

Mokti, H. A., Kamri, N. A., & Mohd Balwi, M. A. W. F. (2022). Halal food quality: An analysis of relevant guidelines and regulations in Malaysia. Journal of Fatwa Management and Research, 27(2-SE), 1–15.

Morales, A., Gingell, C., Collins, M., & Raillard, P. (1998). Clinical safety of oral sildenafil citrate (Viagra™) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. International Journal of Impotence Research, 10(2), 69–73. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900354

Nazim, N. A. M., & Md Yusof, S. (2023, 23 Julai). Halal legislation enforcement of food premises in Malaysia. Global Journal Al-Thaqafah.

Osman, M. N. A. (2026). Etika perniagaan Islam berdasarkan hadith Nabi SAW: Kajian terhadap amanah, kejujuran dan ketelusan. International Journal of Advanced Research in Economics and Finance, 8(1), 181–188.

Paiva, R., Correia, M., Delerue-Matos, C., & Amaral, J. S. (2024). Adulteration of brain health (cognitive, mood, and sleep enhancement) food supplements by the addition of pharmaceutical drugs: A comprehensive review of analytical approaches and trends. Foods, 13(6), Artikel 908. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13060908

Philip, A. (2015). Food safety in Malaysia. Japan Medical Association Journal, 58(3), 120–125.

Ramesh, K. (2026, 22 Mac). Call for tighter enforcement as food fraud persists. The Sun Malaysia. https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/call-for-tighter-enforcement-as-food-fraud-persists/

Speakman, M. T., & Kloner, R. A. (1999). Viagra and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 4(4), 259–267. https://doi.org/10.1177/107424849900400408

Verma, R. K., Sankhla, M. S., & Kumar, R. (2019). Toxic effects of sexual drug overdose: Sildenafil (Viagra). ARC Journal of Forensic Science, 4(1), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.20431/2456-0049.0401003

Wang, Y., Zhao, B., Yang, H., & Wan, Z. (2023). A real-world pharmacovigilance study of FDA adverse event reporting system events for sildenafil. Andrology, 11(8), 1620–1631. https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13533

Published

2024-12-30

How to Cite

FOOD ADULTERATION INVOLVING SILDENAFIL: A CASE REVIEW OF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR V INTAN BIOTECH INDUSTRIES SDN BHD [2025] MLJU 1245. (2024). International Seminar on Syariah and Law (INSLA), 7(1), 100-107. https://doi.org/10.33102/inslae-proceedings.324