It's fair to say that the vast majority of the time somebody buys an energy drink, they're in need of a little pick me up. However, an energy drink in Zambia has been banned after it picked up an unsuspecting consumer way more than they had ever anticipated.
Power Natural High Energy Drink SX was brought to the attention of authorities after a Ugandan man complained of having a six-hour erection after drinking the beverage. A subsequent investigation found that the drink contained sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra... Basically, it's the exact opposite of a soft drink.
Sildenafil citrate is used to treat erectile dysfunction and is normally only available on prescription and can result in symptoms such as dizziness and skin flushes in as many as one in 10 people. It has also been linked with hearing loss and vision problems in some cases.
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Since the Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority complained and the drink was banned, its popularity has actually increased - cos why just be alert when you can be alert and erect?
According to BBC correspondent, Kennedy Gondwe, the drink is still being sold in shops across the capital of Lusaka and the packaging even boasts that the drink 'increases libido' and is an 'aphrodisiac'.
While these marketing claims may seem ill-advised - what with the ban and all - they are at least factually accurate, hence the ban was imposed in the first place.
Ndola City Council, who forwarded samples to the Food and Drugs laboratory for testing, said in a statement that the results showed adulteration was taking place.
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According to the Daily Mail, the statement read: "Results from both Zimbabwe and South Africa correlated with those obtained from the Foods and Drugs Laboratory indicated a positive presence of sildenafil citrate.
"However, the raw material samples tested negative therefore confirming the alleged adulteration.
"The Ndola City Council has also suspended the production of Natural Power SX Energy Drink until remedial measures are put in place to the satisfaction of all the mentioned regulatory authorities."
The levels of sildenafil citrate found ranged between 68.5 mg to 71.3 mg per 250ml of the drink, with the drink normally sold in 500ml cans. When being taken medicinally to combat erectile dysfunction, tablets containing 50 mg of sildenafil citrate are ordinarily prescribed... So yeah, that's how the six-hour bonk on came about.
Revin Zambia Ltd, who manufacture the drink, has not commented on the ban.
Topics: Food, News, Funny, Fail, Drink