An investigation has found that "aphrodisiac honey" products, marketed as organic health foods to enhance sexual vitality, are being illegally laced with unauthorised erectile dysfunction drugs, including sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil. Medical experts in the US had already raised concerns about these products, which are advertised on social media, and researchers warn they are now widely available in the UK and could pose serious health risks to unsuspecting consumers who believe they are buying a natural food product.

The findings, published in the journal Molecules by researchers at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Poland, revealed that some products contained doses of these drugs exceeding recommended daily maximums, with one honey sachet found to contain twice the highest recommended amount. Study leader Dr Joanna Wojtacka said such adulteration is "extremely dangerous" given the unknown effectiveness and toxic effects, particularly since combining the contaminated honey with alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure and fainting. Experts, including Professor Francis Ratnieks of Sussex University, warn that honey's wholesome reputation makes it an easy vehicle for such exploitation, and the researchers are calling for tighter regulatory controls.