More than 40 products have been deemed adulterated and unsafe for the UAE market since January by the Abu Dhabi health department. The list of products, last updated on March 27, include any adulterated or contaminated supplement that is marketed for bodybuilding, sexual enhancement, weight reduction, cosmetic or any other miscellaneous health related reasons.

These adulterated products pose a serious risk to consumers as they are made and stored in unsanitary conditions without following good manufacturing practices (GMP), the Department of Health (DoH) said.

Some of these products were found to be contaminated with biological traces such as yeast, mold , bacteria or with heavy metals. Others were found to be adulterated with undeclared pharmaceutical substance.

The list of adulterated items identified includes products such as Bronz Tone Black Spot Corrector, Bio Claire Lightening Body Lotion, Re5hape hi Morning, Rhino Super Long Lasting 70000, Pink Pussycat, Gluta White Anti-Acne Cream and more.

Alerting residents, authorities said misusing medications and dietary supplements could lead to serious health issues. Many people assume supplements are safe and natural but may not realise the potential risks, especially when combined with other drugs.

The department relies on reports from international health authorities, such as the FDA and WHO, as well as national regulatory bodies, to identify and warn the public about such products.

The UAE introduced Federal Decree-Law No. 42/2023 to combat commercial fraud, protect consumers, ensure product integrity, and promote fair trade practices.

According to the Ministry of Economy (MoEc), the law focuses on eliminating counterfeiting and addressing various forms of commercial fraud. It also sets procedures to prevent and control the trade of counterfeit, adulterated, and spoiled goods, fostering a legal commercial environment that safeguards intellectual property rights.

• Violations of various provision of the law may result in imprisonment of up to 2 years and fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh1,000,000.
• Aggravated offences may lead to imprisonment and fines between Dh100,000 and Dh2,000,000, along with mandatory confiscation or destruction of illegal goods.
• Repeat offenders may face doubled penalties, and the offending establishment may be closed for up to 1 year.
• Managers who were aware of fraudulent activities but failed to act to prevent them may also face penalties, including imprisonment.