Things to Know About Counterfeit Alcohol
In the tragic incident that took place in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu last week, 219 people who consumed fake alcohol were hospitalized and unfortunately 57 people died. This painful incident once again revealed the serious threat that fake drinks pose to human health.
Counterfeit drinks mixed with methanol cause the death of approximately 900 people a year worldwide. Methanol poisoning, which occurs when methanol is mixed with alcohol, can cause serious health problems. Especially societies with low income levels are more affected by such poisonings.
Fake liquor manufacturers often produce their drinks using industrial methanol. This is a practice that puts consumer health at great risk. If methanol is consumed, people may experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and visual disturbances.
Points to be considered
- Counterfeit drinks can often be sold at a fraction of their normal price. When purchasing alcohol, care should be taken to obtain it from reliable sellers.
- Grammatical errors on the labels on the bottle or poor quality packaging may indicate that the drink may be counterfeit.
- If the drink emits a bad smell or has a different taste and smell than usual, this may indicate counterfeit.
Real Life Examples
Many people, such as Hannah Powell, who was blinded by drinking fake alcohol in a bar in Greece, and Opeyemi Famakin, who was poisoned in Nigeria, reveal how serious consequences consuming fake alcohol can lead to. Such incidents emphasize that consumers need to be more careful.
The fact that those who produce counterfeit drinks try to make profits by disregarding human health poses a serious global problem. It is of great importance that consumers become aware of this issue and take care to consume alcohol from reliable sources.
