Chinese distilleries accused of adding Viagra to alcohol because it has 'health-preserving qualities'

Over 5,300 bottles have been confiscated and a haul of white Viagra powder worth £72,166 was discovered

Officers found packets of white powder labelled Sildenafil, more commonly known as Viagra – the drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (Getty)

Two distilleries in China are under investigation after adding Viagra to thousands of bottles of spirits.

More than 5,300 bottles have been confiscated by law enforcement officers at the Guikun Alcohol Plant and the Deshun Alcohol Plant in the southern city of Liuzhou, according to Reuters news agency.

Officers also found packets of white powder labelled Sildenafil, more commonly known as Viagra – the drug used to treat erectile dysfunction.

The haul is believed to be worth over 700,000 yuan or £72,166, according to a statement from the Liuzhou Food and Drug Administration.

Officials have said that powder was added to three different types of “baijiu” - a strong spirit, which is the most popular drink in the country.

The drinks companies told customers that the drug had “health-preserving qualities,” however doctors recommend that adults who take Viagra on a prescription should only take one dose a day.

In June the South Morning Post revealed that Chinese customs had discovered $500,000 worth of smuggled meat which was almost 40 years old and in 2013, Chinese police said that they had stopped a crime ring, which had earned over $1 million by selling rat and small mammal meat as mutton.

In 2008 a tainted milk scandal left nearly 13,000 Chinese infants in hospital and four infants died from ingesting the toxic milk powder, which caused kidney stones and other agonising health complications.