Honey Trap: Why France is warning young men to stay away from 'aphrodisiac' honey

French authorities are raising red flags over a growing trend: “aphrodisiac” honey, which has become increasingly popular among men across the country.

Promoted as a “natural” solution to boost sexual performance, this honey is far from harmless. Officials warn that if this illegal ’love honey’ is consumed without proper regulation, can lead to serious and dangerous health complications.

Customs officials on Monday warned they had noticed a huge surge in the illegal import of banned “love honey” which is being sold online and in corner shops for “recreational purposes”.

Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What is aphrodisiac honey?

Aphrodisiac honey is a form of adulterated honey that’s marketed as a “natural” way to enhance sexual performance. However, it actually contains the active ingredients of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction, a common condition affecting many men, is defined as the inability to get or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity.

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According to France’s customs agency, tests carried out by the Joint Laboratory Service (Customs and DGCCRF) have detected substances like Sildenafil and Tadalafil—both of which are prescribed for erectile dysfunction and are tightly regulated.

However, this adulterated honey and gels, often packaged as “sticks” or “shots” under misleading names like Black Horse, Jaguar Power or Bio Max, is frequently sold discreetly in nightclubs and other nightlife venues. What many consumers may not realise is the potential danger hidden in these products, as the exact amount of the active ingredient remains unknown.

“As the amount of adulteration is unknown, and the doses consumed are neither recommended nor quantified, consumers are taking considerable risks by taking this type of adulterated honey, especially as there is no mention of dosage, contra-indications or adverse effects on the sachets,” the statement warns.

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What are the health risks?

The hidden presence of powerful drugs in aphrodisiac honey poses serious health risks.

Since 2021, the French authorities have warned that the unregulated dosages in these products can lead to severe adverse reactions, such as convulsions, cerebral oedema, and acute kidney injuries.

In one notable case, a 36-year-old man had to undergo emergency surgery after being hospitalised with penile necrosis in Lyons in 2022.

Juliette Bloch, head of alerts at the National Health Safety Agency, explained Le Parisien, “There is no reliable dosage in these products. You can sometimes find the equivalent of several medications in just a few millilitres or grams.”

Dr Alain Ducardonnet, a cardiologist quoted by French broadcaster BFMTV, added, “There is a risk of very serious or even fatal accidents if taken simultaneously with other medications.” He also warned of the dangers of overdose, stating, “If you take too much, you risk epileptic seizures, haemorrhages, or kidney problems.”

An unnamed doctor cited by Le Parisien bluntly said, “It’s simple. Something that makes you hard instantly does not just contain plants.”

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Skyrocketing demand

Despite government bans and warnings, demand for aphrodisiac honey has surged, with young men increasingly turning to it in large numbers.

“Following a trend, a younger public are going for this in a big way, thinking they can match the performances to be found on porn sites,” a police officer told Le Figaro newspaper.

Customs officials have reported a sharp rise in the quantities seized across France. While only 18 cases of illegal imports were documented in 2019, that number skyrocketed to 131 by 2023.

Last year marked a record high, both in terms of the number of cases and the quantities confiscated. France’s customs office revealed that it had seized a staggering 31,000 tonnes of the illicit product, mostly imported from countries like Malaysia, Turkey, Tunisia, and Thailand.

“These products arrive by sea in large containers or by express freight in smaller volumes, following online purchases,” the customs office explained.

The largest single seizure occurred in November 2023 at the port of Marseille, where customs officers confiscated more than 13 tonnes—nearly 860,000 sticks—of aphrodisiac honey. In June, officials in Lyon and Clermont-Ferrand also seized nearly 25,000 doses of the honey from a storage box.

With input from agencies