Is HemoHIM Banned? The Hong Kong, Taiwan and Colombia Warnings Explained
HemoHIM is not banned worldwide, but in 2021 regulators in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Colombia warned consumers about it. Here is exactly what happened, based on the official notices, and how to check the status in your country.
Short answer: HemoHIM is not banned worldwide. It is sold legally through Atomy in many countries, and in South Korea it is a registered health functional food. However, in 2021 health authorities in Hong Kong and Taiwan told consumers to stop using it after an undeclared prescription drug was found in samples, and the product was withdrawn from those markets and from Singapore. Colombia's regulator also warned about HemoHIM being sold there without registration. This article sets out what the official notices actually say. As of October 2026, HemoHIM is sold again in Atomy’s Singapore mall and, as HemoHIM G (艾多美 煥力飲G), in Atomy’s Taiwan mall; it is still not sold in Hong Kong. In Colombia, where the regulator warned in 2021 about unregistered sales, HemoHIM has had a valid registration since September 2024 (INVIMA PFTI2024-0002971).
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Hong Kong, 2021: liver injury cases and methoxsalen
On 1 November 2021, Hong Kong's Department of Health urged the public not to buy or consume HemoHIM. Public hospitals had reported four suspected poisoning cases between April and September 2021: four women aged 42 to 72 who developed liver injury, with symptoms such as tea-coloured urine, jaundice and vomiting. All four were admitted and later discharged.
The Government Laboratory found methoxsalen in the samples. Methoxsalen is a prescription medicine used for skin conditions such as psoriasis and vitiligo, and it is not a declared ingredient of HemoHIM. On 2 November 2021 the Department confirmed that a sample taken from Atomy's own premises in Hong Kong also contained methoxsalen.
Doctors described the four cases in the Hong Kong Medical Journal in 2022. They reported that liver function improved after the women stopped taking the product, and that the product had been withdrawn from the market in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.
Taiwan and Singapore, 2021
In November 2021, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration told buyers to stop using the HemoHIM product after methoxsalen was detected. According to the Hong Kong Medical Journal report, the product was also withdrawn in Singapore.
Where HemoHIM is sold now (October 2026)
When we checked Atomy’s official online malls in October 2026, HemoHIM was listed again in Singapore, and Atomy Taiwan listed a product called HemoHIM G (艾多美 煥力飲G). Atomy Hong Kong’s mall did not sell HemoHIM, although members there can buy other Atomy products. Availability can change, so check the Atomy mall for your country.
Colombia, 2021: sales without sanitary registration
In August 2021, Colombia's regulator INVIMA published alert No. 185-2021 about the fraudulent sale of "Suplemento Atomy Hemohim" without a sanitary registration, and asked people not to use it. The alert is about products sold without registration in Colombia — not about a test result. If you live in Colombia, check INVIMA's registry for the current status before buying. In September 2024 INVIMA updated the alert: HemoHIM (“Atomy Hemohim preparación herbaria”) now has a valid sanitary registration, PFTI2024-0002971, held by Atomy Colombia S.A.S., and INVIMA advises buying only from the registration holder, its importer or authorised distributors.
What this means — and what it does not mean
- HemoHIM is not banned as a product worldwide; it remains on sale through Atomy in many countries.
- The 2021 Hong Kong and Taiwan warnings were real regulatory actions, not rumours: authorities told consumers to stop using the product.
- The substance identified was methoxsalen, which is not a declared ingredient of HemoHIM. A 2023 Korean review argued that methoxsalen can also occur naturally in angelica and that the cause of the liver injuries was not established.
- Whether a product is approved can differ by country and can change over time, so always check the current status where you live.
How to check the status of HemoHIM in your country
- Search your national food or medicines regulator for "HemoHIM" (for example MFDS in Korea, BPOM in Indonesia, FDA in the United States, INVIMA in Colombia).
- Buy only through Atomy's official online mall for your country, where the product is registered for that market.
- Avoid marketplace and grey-market sellers: you cannot verify where those products come from or how they were stored.
If you take HemoHIM and notice dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea or unusual tiredness, stop taking it and see a doctor. For the full safety picture, read our HemoHIM liver safety guide and the general HemoHIM side effects guide.
❓ Is HemoHIM banned?
Not worldwide. HemoHIM is sold legally through Atomy in many countries. In 2021, however, Hong Kong and Taiwan told consumers to stop using it after methoxsalen was found in samples, and it was withdrawn from the market in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. As of October 2026 it is listed again in Atomy’s Singapore mall and, as HemoHIM G, in Atomy’s Taiwan mall, but not in Hong Kong.
❓ Why was HemoHIM withdrawn in Hong Kong?
In 2021 four women in Hong Kong developed liver injury after taking it, and the Government Laboratory found methoxsalen — an undeclared prescription drug — in the samples, including a sample from Atomy's premises. The Department of Health urged the public not to buy or consume the product.
❓ Is HemoHIM legal in the United States and Europe?
In the United States HemoHIM is sold as a dietary supplement; the FDA does not approve supplements. In other countries the rules differ, so check your national regulator and buy only through Atomy's official mall for your country.
❓ What should I do if I get side effects?
Stop taking it and see a doctor, especially if you notice dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, nausea or unusual tiredness. Tell your doctor which supplements you take.
Get the full picture: read our complete guide to what HemoHIM is and how it works.
Want to try HemoHIM? Buy it genuine directly from Atomy — registration is free.
References
- Suspected poisoning cases related to consumption of oral product "Hemohim" (1 November 2021) — Hong Kong Government (Department of Health)
- Public urged not to buy or consume oral product "Hemohim" containing undeclared controlled substance (2 November 2021) — Hong Kong Government (Department of Health)
- Chan CK et al. Liver injury associated with the use of health supplement HemoHIM. Hong Kong Med J 2022;28(5):413–4 — Hong Kong Medical Journal
- Taiwan FDA tells buyers to stop using Atomy HemoHIM product after methoxsalen found (November 2021) — Focus Taiwan (CNA)
- Alerta sanitaria No. 185-2021: Suplemento Atomy Hemohim — INVIMA (Colombia)
- Actualización alerta sanitaria: Atomy Hemohim (2024) — INVIMA (Colombia)
- Yang SJ et al. Does the Health Supplement HemoHIM Cause Liver Injury? — Journal of Industrial Convergence (2023)
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, take medicines or have a medical condition.
Where to buy genuine HemoHIM
Check whether HemoHIM is sold in your country and the member price in Atomy’s official mall.
Check availabilityThis site is run by an independent, registered Atomy distributor. If you register through our links, we may earn a commission. Prices are the same.