A California-based company has issued a nationwide recall of two chocolate products after U.S. regulators found they contained undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients linked to erectile dysfunction drugs raising concerns about potentially life-threatening side effects.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, West Sacramento-based Gear Isle voluntarily recalled its Gold Lion Aphrodisiac Chocolate Male Enhancement Sachet and Ilum Sex Chocolate Male Sexual Enhancement Booster after tests detected sildenafil and tadalafil active ingredients commonly used in drugs like Viagra and Cialis.  

The recall was first announced by the company on March 19, 2026, with the FDA publishing the alert on March 26, 2026. 

Both products were marketed as dietary supplements and sold nationwide via online platforms, despite containing prescription drug compounds not disclosed on their labels. 

Health officials warned that such undeclared ingredients violate safety regulations and can expose consumers to medications without their knowledge or medical supervision.  

Sildenafil and tadalafil belong to a class of drugs known as PDE-5 inhibitors, which increase blood flow and are widely used to treat erectile dysfunction. 

However, the FDA cautioned that consuming these substances unknowingly can be dangerous especially for individuals taking nitrate-based medications (such as nitroglycerin for heart conditions).

Men with cardiac conditions who rely on nitrates are considered the highest-risk group.  

Even when used correctly under medical supervision, these drugs can cause side effects. Reported symptoms include:

• Headaches and indigestion

• Nasal congestion

• Back pain and respiratory infections (more common with tadalafil)

• Rare but serious risks such as vision loss  

Because the chocolates were sold as supplements, consumers may have taken them without realizing they were ingesting active pharmaceutical compounds.

The recall covers:

• Gold Lion Aphrodisiac Chocolate Male Enhancement Sachet
  

  • UPC: 795847916279

  • Expiry: June 2027

• Ilum Sex Chocolate Male Sexual Enhancement Booster
  

  • UPC: 1002448578911

  • Expiry: December 25, 2027  

The Ilum product is packaged in black with yellow and white text, while the Gold Lion version appears in purple packaging, helping consumers identify affected items.  

Gear Isle has urged customers to:

• Stop using the products immediately

• Return them for a full refund

• Contact customer service (888-387-4753 or info@gearisle.com) for assistance  

The FDA also advises anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention promptly and report adverse effects through its MedWatch program. 

So far, no adverse events have been reported, according to both the company and the FDA. 

Still, officials stress that the case highlights a broader issue: products marketed as dietary supplements especially for sexual enhancement, weight loss, or pain relief may sometimes contain hidden drug ingredients.  

Reference:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2026. “Gear Isle Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Chocolate Product Due to Undeclared Sildenafil and Tadalafil.” March 19, 2026. Accessed April 1, 2026.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gear-isle-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-chocolate-product-due-undeclared-sildenafil-and#recall-announcement

(Rh/ARC)