Distillers nabbed for putting viagra in alcoholic drink

If indications are anything to go by, then Viagra could have health preservation qualities.

According to food safety officials in China, distillers in the country added Viagra to thousands of bottles of spirits and told customers it had "health-preserving qualities".

Over 5,300 bottles of alcohol were seized by the investigators in the southern city of Liuzhou.

Also found were packets of a white powder called Sildenafil, better known as Viagra. The 2 distillers involved are now being investigated by police in the Guangxi region.

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

They added that the haul was worth up to 700,000 yuan (about N22 million).

This is one of several food safety issues that China has faced in recent times. 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.

Also in 2008, at least 6 babies died after consuming milk adulterated with melamine, and about 300,000 people were affected.