Warning of unlabelled alcohol

The Ministry of Consumer Protection warns against alcohol of unknown origin

16/09/2012

In the Czech Republic, a total of 16 people have been killed since Thursday, because they had consumed high-grade alcohol containing adulterated methanol. Numerous other people are still in mortal danger and must be treated intensively due to severe symptoms of intoxication. In the course of this, the Saxon Ministry of Consumer Protection warns against the consumption of alcoholic beverages whose origin is unclear. If suspicious products are offered, citizens should immediately inform the authorities at the request of the Ministry.

There is also a danger in Germany
In addition to the deaths in the Czech Republic, two patients in Poland and one patient in Slovakia also succumbed to severe poisoning. Meanwhile, the investigations are ongoing in the Czech Republic „at full speed to find the source of methanol-containing alcohol“. The authorities assume that criminal gangs are behind it. Therefore, the extent of further sales can not be estimated at the moment.

According to the Saxon Ministry of Consumer Protection can not be ruled out at this time, „that the sale of contaminated bottles also in Saxony“ takes place. Due to incidents in neighboring countries and the lack of information on the origin of toxic products and their distribution channels, the ministry warns in particular against drinking unlabeled alcohol, where it is not possible to clearly determine how and where it was produced.

If suspected, turn on the Food Inspectorate
If suspicions arise or cases in which such products are advertised or offered, citizens should immediately contact the regional Food Inspectorate (LÜVA) or inform the police. First of all, information of great importance is the identification of „methanol-containing alcoholic substances - for example, labels, brand names, etc., or other indications that allow traceability of the bottles“.

Highly toxic even in small doses
Even at very low dosages, methanol is highly toxic and, after consumption, can lead to blindness, damage to life and, in slightly higher doses, to rapid death. Typical symptoms of poisoning after ingestion of methanol is initially an intoxicating effect, which immediately occurs after drinking. Immediately thereafter headache, weakness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, dizziness and rapid breathing occur. In the last phase, damage to the optic nerve usually occurs, which can lead to complete blindness of the patient. Deaths are usually caused by respiratory paralysis.

The ministry was briefed on the WHO's International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN), the European Commission's Rapid Alert System, the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) and the Czech Republic Police. In the meantime, precautionary measures in the Czech Republic have banned the sale of high-percentage alcohol (from 20 percent) in order to avoid further deaths. (Sb)