China: Chinese alcohol spiked with viagra

Chinese police are investigating two distillers from the south-western Guangxi province following allegations that they added Viagra to alcohol.

Guikun Alcohol Plant and Deshun Alcohol Plant in the city of Luizhou added sildenafil, better known as the anti-impotence drug Viagra, into three of their baijiu products, according to Liuzhou Food and Drug Administration. The labels on the bottles praised the substance for its "health-preserving qualities"

More than 5,300 bottles of alcohol were seized by the investigators who also found packets of Sildenafil in powder form. They said the haul was worth up to 700,000 yuan (£72,000; $113,000).

The Liuzhou Food and Drug Administration said that the powder was added to three different types of 'baijiu' - a strong, clear spirit that is the most popular drink in China.

Doctors recommend that adults on prescription should take only one dose of Viagra a day, with a lower dose for those over the age of 65. Viagra is not safe for people with cardiovascular problems and is banned as a food additive in China.

It is not the first case in which Viagra has been added to baijiu liquor in China. Last year, a businessman from central China's Hubei Province was detained for the same offence.

It's the latest food-safety scare for the country, where food safety is an ongoing problem.

According to the South China Morning Post, in June Chinese customs discovered almost $500,000 worth of smuggled meat from US reserves that was more than 40 years old.

In June, police in cities across China seized more than 100,000 tonnes of smuggled meat, some of which was more than 40 years old.

The 2008 tainted milk scandal outraged the nation after 300,000 people were affected and at least six babies died after consuming milk adulterated with melamine.