The United Kingdom has issued a travel advisory cautioning its citizens about the risk of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or tainted alcoholic drinks in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and five other countries.
According to the UK Foreign Office, several cases of serious illness and even deaths have been reported among tourists who consumed contaminated alcohol while abroad. Travellers are being urged to avoid homemade brews or unsealed drinks and to purchase alcohol only from licensed and reputable outlets.
Experts warn that methanol, a highly toxic chemical commonly used in products such as antifreeze and paint thinners can cause blindness, organ failure, or death within 48 hours of ingestion. Because it looks and smells similar to ethanol (the alcohol found in drinks), it is often added to counterfeit spirits to increase volume cheaply, with devastating consequences.
In response, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has reassured the public that all methanol used in Kenya is denatured with denatonium benzoate, a bittering agent that makes it impossible to mistake for drinkable alcohol. KEBS also emphasized that Kenya’s certified alcohol manufacturers follow strict safety and quality guidelines, and that the danger primarily lies in unregulated or illicit brews.
For families travelling or living abroad, this advisory serves as an important reminder:
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Buy drinks only from trusted, sealed sources.
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Avoid locally brewed or homemade alcohol.
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Seek immediate medical help if symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, or confusion occur after drinking.
Your safety and that of your loved ones, depends on being alert to these hidden dangers.