Israeli Health Ministry Warns Against Dangerous Weight Loss Product Containing Banned Drug

The Israeli Ministry of Health has issued a serious warning against the purchase and consumption of a weight loss product known as "Magic Honey" or "Honey for Weight Loss," which has recently gained popularity, including among the Haredi community. The product contains sibutramine, a pharmaceutical ingredient banned in Israel and many other countries due to significant health risks. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of sibutramine in the product, which is not approved by the Ministry of Health and is illegal to market in Israel.

Sibutramine use without medical supervision can lead to severe side effects such as increased blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, heart attacks, strokes, psychiatric disorders, and even death. The Ministry highlighted previous hospitalizations in Israel linked to counterfeit products containing this substance. Citizens are urged to buy medications and health supplements only from authorized pharmacies and reputable sources, avoiding purchases through social media, messaging groups, or unverified websites.

The Ministry also recommends consulting licensed dietitians, maintaining a healthy diet, and engaging in physical activity for weight loss. The public is encouraged to report any encounters with the product or suspected counterfeit medicines and any adverse effects to the Health Ministry hotline (*5400).