BEIJING - China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) on Friday asked consumers not to purchase health supplements labeled as increasing sexual potential, as no such products are genuine.

China has never approved the registration and marketing of health supplements claiming to "invigorate the kidney and strengthen the sex function", the CFDA said in a statement.

Food safety cases concerning such supplements have risen sharply since 2013. Illegal dealers sell the supplements unnoticed, in tiny stores or adult shops, and most consumers who are cheated are too embarrassed to go to the police.

Health supplements currently allowed to be registered in China fall into 27 categories with functions such as boosting immunity, cholesterol reduction and weight loss.

The CFDA reminded consumers to report sales of sex supplements to the food and drug authorities.