UK Issues Global Alert! 11 More Countries Added to Deadly Methanol Poisoning Warning List
Eleven more nations have been added to the UK Foreign Office’s list of nations that are at danger of methanol poisoning due to contaminated alcoholic beverages. Following “a global increase in the number of reported cases” of methanol poisoning, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and Rwanda are all included in the new travel advisory. Following many high-profile events, including the deaths of six tourists in Laos in 2024, Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, and Uganda were added to the list last month. Methanol may cause blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours, even in modest doses, travelers are being cautioned. Paint thinner, windshield washer fluid, and antifreeze all contain methanol, a hazardous industrial alcohol. It is not intended for ingestion by humans. Although it is naturally created during the production of alcoholic beverages, commercial companies use the distillation process to lower it to low, safe levels for human consumption. However, in order to save money, it is illegally added to alcoholic beverages in several nations. It is hard to detect since it has no flavor or smell. The Foreign Office is launching a campaign to provide guidance on lowering risks and identifying methanol poisoning symptoms. All travelers should be aware of the symptoms of methanol poisoning, according to Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer.”If you’re drinking spirits overseas, stick to trusted places and avoid homemade alcohol or free shots,” Falconer said. “If something feels off, like a hangover that’s way worse than normal or vision problems get medical help fast.”
