Kota Kinabalu: A 33-year-old trader was fined RM3,500 or jailed 10 months by the Magistrate’s Court, here, for selling a coffee product containing tadalafil, a drug not permitted under the Food Act 1983.
Amanullah Abdullah pleaded guilty before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin to selling Brazilian Pronto Coffee Blend (Oasis brand) which was found to contain tadalafil at 646mg per kg at Leyman Enterprise in Asia City, here, on Aug 27, 2025, at 10am.
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As the seller, Amanullah was found to have contravened Section 13B(1) read together with Section 13B(2)(c) of the Food Act 1983 and was charged under Section 13B(4) of the same Act.
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM20,000 or up to five years’ jail, or both, on conviction.
Health Prosecuting Officer Arnila Ahmad in presenting the facts of the case, said authorised food officers conducted a routine food sampling operation at the premises under the 2025 Food Safety and Quality sampling schedule.
Upon arrival, the officers identified themselves and informed the premises owner, Amanullah, of the purpose of their visit before requesting to inspect the food storage area and observe the sampling process.
A sample of the Brazilian Pronto Coffee Blend (Oasis brand) was purchased for RM330 and a receipt was issued.
The product was subsequently divided into three portions, sealed with official food sample seals, and appropriately labelled.
One sample was handed to Amanullah for safekeeping, another was retained at the Kota Kinabalu Health Office, while the third was sent by courier to the Food Safety and Quality Laboratory in Penang for analysis.
Laboratory test results later confirmed the presence of tadalafil at 646mg per kg in the product.
The prosecution stated that the substance is not permitted in food under the Food Regulations 1985, causing the product to fail to meet legal food safety standards.
In mitigation, an unrepresented Amanullah said he was unaware that the product contained a prohibited substance, that it had since been withdrawn by the supplier, and that he had incurred losses.
Arnila noted that tadalafil is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and its inclusion in food products is prohibited by law, adding that selling such products to the public constitutes a serious offence.
