Magic Power Coffee, marketed as a natural sex enhancer, contained an undisclosed chemical similar to Viagra, posing serious health risks. ScamTelegraph reports the FDA issued a stark warning that the product could cause injury or even death, leading to a recall by parent company INZ Distributors.
The company promoted Magic Power Coffee as a 100% natural alternative to prescription drugs such as Viagra and Cialis. Its marketing claimed the blend included ingredients like horny goat weed, ginseng, and goji berries, promising enhanced sexual performance without synthetic chemicals.
Federal investigators tested Magic Power Coffee and discovered hydroxythiohomosildenafil, an ingredient the company had neither listed nor disclosed to consumers. This chemical is structurally similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient found in Viagra, which explained the product's purported efficacy. However, its presence directly contradicted the "all natural" marketing claims.
The undisclosed ingredient presents significant health hazards beyond false advertising. Hydroxythiohomosildenafil can interact dangerously with nitrates, a class of prescription medications used for heart conditions, including nitroglycerin. The combination of these substances can lead to a rapid and severe drop in blood pressure, potentially causing insufficient blood flow to the brain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and in severe cases, stroke, organ failure, or death.
The FDA issued a direct warning, stating that using Magic Power Coffee "is likely to expose consumers to unpredictable risks and the potential for injury or even death." The agency advised customers who had purchased the product to cease use immediately and consult a doctor if they had experienced any unusual symptoms.
INZ Distributors, the parent company of Magic Power Coffee, initiated a voluntary recall covering all products manufactured up to August 5, 2010. This action significantly impacted INZ, as Magic Power Coffee was its sole product within the multilevel marketing sector, effectively dismantling its business model.
The company now faces a difficult dilemma. It can remove hydroxythiohomosildenafil, rendering the product ineffective and reducing it to a mere flavored coffee without premium appeal. Alternatively, INZ could acknowledge the chemical's presence, pursue drug approval, and abandon the "all natural" branding that initially attracted its customer base. Both options fundamentally undermine the product's original market proposition, as consumers were paying for natural results, not chemically induced effects.
What was Magic Power Coffee marketed as?
Magic Power Coffee was marketed as a 100% natural sexual enhancer, claiming to be an alternative to prescription drugs like Viagra and Cialis, using ingredients such as horny goat weed and ginseng.
What undisclosed ingredient did the FDA find in Magic Power Coffee?
The FDA found hydroxythiohomosildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, which was not disclosed on the product's label.
Why is hydroxythiohomosildenafil dangerous, especially if undisclosed?
Hydroxythiohomosildenafil can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure, particularly when combined with nitrate-based prescription heart medications, leading to potential stroke, organ failure, or death.
How did INZ Distributors respond to the FDA's findings?
INZ Distributors issued a voluntary recall for all Magic Power Coffee produced through August 5, 2010, an action that significantly impacted the company's business model.