BEIJING — More than 50 liquor companies across China stand accused of adding Viagra to their products, the country’s food and drug watchdog agency confirmed Monday.
Investigators in the southwest province of Guangxi seized 5,300 bottles of suspect alcohol worth $113,000 over the weekend, according to the website of the local food and drug agency. A spokeswoman for the Guikun Alcohol Plant, targeted in the sweep, said it no longer produces the products involved.
China's Food and Drug Administration told NBC News on Monday that there are 51 companies in total under investigation for allegedly spiking "baiju" — a Chinese specialty known for its fiery flavor — with doses of Sildenafil, the generic name for erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. The revelations have triggered fears that the adulterated alcohol could have harmful cardiovascular effects.
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In June 2014, China was rocked by a scandal involving the illegal import of over 100,000 tons of rotten meat worth more than $480 million. And in July 2008, at least six infants died, 54,000 babies were hospitalized and about 300,000 people were affected after consuming milk mixed with the chemical melamine.