Czech food inspection SZPI: accredited laboratory finds sildenafil in two food supplements — the content corresponds to a therapeutic dose and the products were assessed as injurious to health
On 6 October 2026 the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) reported finding the unauthorised medicinal substance sildenafil in two batches of food supplements: ELIXIRMAN (capsules from a Chinese manufacturer, sampled by a test purchase from an online shop) and Capatrex (manufacturer Paramount EU, LLC, United Kingdom, sampled in a retail shop in Karlovy Vary).
- Analysis in SZPI’s accredited laboratory confirmed sildenafil in both products — the active substance of medicines for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension, available only in pharmacies on prescription. Food supplements are foods, not medicines, so they must not contain medicinal substances.
- Considering the amount of the substance in the recommended daily dose, the National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) assessed both products as highly risky for the health of sensitive or not fully healthy consumers. Both were classified as injurious to health under Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 because their sildenafil content corresponds to a therapeutic dose.
- For ELIXIRMAN (2.4 g pack, 8 capsules of 300 mg, without a clearly stated best-before date) SZPI ordered a ban on placing it on the market and that products returned by consumers be taken back. For Capatrex (10 capsules, use by 01/2028) the inspected business stated that it had supplied the product to five wholesale customers, which according to the correspondence provided hold no stock; shop customers were informed by notices.
- SZPI advises consumers who have these products at home not to consume them. The inspection recalls that food supplements are concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals or other substances with a nutritional effect.