Abu Dhabi warns against use of 18 fake beauty, weight loss products

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH) has announced the detection of 18 counterfeit pharmaceutical products since the beginning of 2025.

In a statement, the department revealed that it has updated its list of counterfeit medicines, dietary supplements, and cosmetic products. With the recent additions, the total number of counterfeit pharmaceutical products on the department’s warning list has reached 3,142.

Most of these products are marketed as herbal remedies derived from natural sources and are sold illegally, often through online platforms. The latest update highlights the dangers of using these counterfeit drugs and dietary, cosmetic, and weight loss products, including bodybuilding supplements, sexual enhancers, and beauty treatments. These products pose significant health risks, prompting warnings from both local and international health authorities.

According to the department, the break up of the counterfeit products is as under:

• 269 bodybuilding and muscle-enhancing supplements
• 341 cosmetic products
• 582 weight loss and slimming products
• 1,503 sexual enhancement products
• 447 various other counterfeit items

The department has published the names, images, sources, and reasons for banning these counterfeit products.

Health risks
The list of counterfeit drugs identified includes products such as Force, Black Horse, Royal Honey, Honey Extra Strength, Stiff Rock Gold, Raging Bull 50000, Super Rhino Gold, Rhino 25 Honey, Flower Power, Quadragen Testolone, Stenabolic, Pink’s Fashion Fair Cream, Hado Labo Gokyujun Hatomugi, and Neoprosone Cream.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Health has warned that these products can cause severe health complications. Potential side effects include heart attacks, strokes, liver damage, skin rashes, fluid retention, high blood pressure, and loss of hearing or vision.

The department emphasised that these counterfeit products pose serious risks as they are manufactured and stored in unsafe conditions, violating established practices. This increases the likelihood of contamination with harmful substances such as bacteria, fungi, and heavy metals. Additionally, some of these products have been found to contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients, further endangering consumers.

The list includes adulterated or contaminated dietary supplements commonly marketed for muscle building, sexual enhancement, weight loss, and beauty. The department urged the public to refrain from purchasing or consuming any product listed on its website and to always seek medical advice from healthcare professionals before using any dietary supplement.

Dangers of unregulated supplement use
The department warned against the random and uninformed use of medications and dietary supplements, as many consumers mistakenly believe that such products are always safe and natural. However, they may not be aware of the potential harmful effects, especially when used in combination with other medications.

Additionally, the department reiterated that the most effective and scientifically proven methods for weight loss are healthy eating and physical activity. Relying on dietary supplements without adequate knowledge of their ingredients and risks is not a safe approach, especially given the widespread availability of these products in nutrition stores, social media platforms, and online marketplaces.

Regarding counterfeit cosmetic products, the department said such items are banned due to their potential to cause serious health problems. Fraudulent practices in cosmetic products often involve misrepresentation of ingredients, misleading labeling, or both. The department aims to raise consumer awareness and help them identify unsafe products to avoid the dangers associated with unregulated use.