₦airaland Forum

Eight countries added to methanol poisoning warning list

Eight countries have been added to a UK Foreign Office list warning of the risks of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or tainted alcoholic drinks.

Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia and Uganda are included in the updated travel guidance following incidents involving Britons in those countries.

The advice previously covered Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica and Fiji and follows a number of high-profile incidents including the death of six tourists in Laos last year.

Travellers are advised to watch out for signs of methanol poisoning such as blurry vision and confusion, which can lead to serious illness and death.


What is methanol and how does it affect the body?

Methanol is an industrial chemical found in antifreeze and windscreen washer fluid. It is not meant for human consumption and is highly toxic.

But there have been instances of unscrupulous backyard brewers adding methanol to drinks to make them go further, and some bars and street sellers mixing it with spirit-based drinks and cocktails to cut costs.

The Foreign Office has begun a new advertising campaign and updated its travel advice pages to include information on recognising symptoms and reducing risks of methanol poisoning.

British nationals going abroad are advised to purchase sealed drinks from licensed establishments, avoid homemade alcohol and pre-mixed spirits, cocktails and drinks served in buckets or jugs.

Travellers are advised to watch out for warning signs of poisoning, which include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and confusion. Experts say methanol poisoning in the early stages can resemble alcohol poisoning, but distinctive symptoms, such as vision issues, can develop between 12-48 hours after consumption.

People with signs of methanol poisoning should seek urgent medical attention immediately.


PA Media A caucasian girl in her 20s with long blonde hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera in a professional head-shot whilst wearing a black turtle-neck sweater.PA Media
Simone White, 28, died in 2024 after unknowingly drinking methanol in Laos
The Foreign Office did not release details of specific incidents in any of the new countries on the warning list.

But Morgan, a Briton who contacted BBC Newsbeat about a recent visit to Japan, said her experience in bars there suggested tourists were unaware of the potential risks.

"The offering would be 'come and take a free shot with me - we've got tequila, we've got vodka'," she said.

"Obviously, you are taking their word for it. It's quite dangerous in that sense. There were loads of other tourists just taking the shots, just drinking, not seeing where the bottle was from."

Last month campaigners and the families of some of the Britons who have died or been injured from methanol poisoning abroad met members of the travel industry and MPs in parliament.

Among them was Amanda Dennis who represents the family of Simone White, a 28-year-old lawyer from Orpington who was one of six backpackers who died in 2024 after consuming free shots at a hostel in Laos.

She said the Foreign Office should go further with its latest warning.

"The advice should be do not buy spirits in these countries, including licensed places," she said. "If people want to drink spirits in these countries, they should buy spirits at duty free in the UK."

She also suggested the Foreign Office should place posters highlighting the issue of methanol poisoning at UK airports.

Calum Macdonald had been backpacking in Laos when he fell victim to methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng and went blind.

The 23-year-old from Sunbury-on-Thames said: "I think it's important that people know, obviously, because it's quite a simple bit of information you can get that can really save you a lot of pain.

"I certainly think if I'd been aware of the risks I wouldn't be here today without my vision."

Hamish Falconer, the Foreign Office minister responsible for consular and crisis, said: "Methanol poisoning can kill. It can be difficult to detect when drinking and early symptoms mirror ordinary alcohol poisoning. By the time travellers realise the danger, it can be too late."

He added: "No family should endure what the campaigners' families have suffered. Their determination to prevent others facing the same tragedy has been instrumental in driving forward these vital updates to our travel advice."

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33p7vvyp2zo

Nigeria always known for bad news

Why is the human mind so corrupted

Nigeria under this Tinubu will always make the list for anything bad. Na wa oo

Una must sha add Nigeria for any and every "dangerous" or bad list...!


How many cases of Methanol poisoning have we seen in this nation ever?!!

FreeStuffsNG:
Eight countries added to methanol poisoning warning list




https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33p7vvyp2zo

Spiking and methanol poisoning

Heading off on holiday or a backpacking adventure? Whether it’s Bali, Thailand, Spain or Greece or somewhere else sunny, it’s all about good vibes, great nights out, and making memories. But here’s the thing: while you’re busy soaking up the fun, it’s easy to forget about the risks that can come with alcoholic drinks or spiking.

No one wants their trip abroad to turn into a trip to the hospital, so it’s worth knowing how to help yourself stay safe. Let’s break it down.


people sitting in a beach resort, Bali.

What is spiking?
Spiking is when someone sneaks something into your drink, like drugs or harmful substances, without you knowing. It can be done to make you blackout, incapacitated, or worse.

What is methanol poisoning?
Methanol is toxic even in small amounts. It is an industrial alcohol made from distilling wood and can be found in many commercial products, like antifreeze, fuel and paint thinners. In some parts of the world methanol products are sometimes illegally mixed with ‘real’ alcohol such as spirit-based drinks and cocktails.

Check FCDO travel advice for your destination and sign up to email alerts for the most up-to-date information before you travel.

How to spot spiking
It’s not always obvious when a drink has been tampered with, but here’s what to look out for:

Methanol poisoning: Symptoms hit harder and faster than regular alcohol. If you’re suddenly dizzy, nauseous, or struggling to see properly after just a couple of drinks, something’s off.
Drug spiking: Feeling more drunk than you should, drowsy, or confused could mean your drink’s been tampered with. Some people experience hallucinations, paranoia, and memory blackouts. Trust your gut—if something feels wrong, it probably is.

How to reduce the risk of spiking
Here’s how to keep your drink (and yourself) safe while enjoying a night out:

Keep an eye on your drink and do not leave it unattended. If it smells or tastes odd, do not drink it.
Do not accept drinks from strangers.
Alcohol can hit harder abroad because measures are sometimes larger abroad, and dehydration from heat can make you feel worse.
Check FCDO travel advice for your destination and sign up to email alerts for the most up-to-date information before you travel.

Check Stamp Out Spiking for more
information on how to prevent spiking.
Plan your trip home. Arrange transport before going out and note the address of where you’re staying.

How to spot the signs of methanol poisoning
Spotting methanol poisoning can be difficult because at first it can affect you in the same ways as ‘real’ alcohol. Signs to watch for:

Early signs:
vomiting, poor judgement, loss of balance and drowsiness.

12-48 hours after drinking: abdominal pain, vertigo, hyperventilation, breathlessness, blurred vision and/or blindness, coma and convulsions. If you or someone you are travelling with have any of these symptoms seek urgent medical attention.

Vision issues are a red flag and can also appear 12-48 hours after the first drink. Methanol poisoning can cause blurry vision, trouble looking at bright lights, and in some cases complete blindness. If you have “snowfield vision” (seeing snowy static like an old TV) or tunnel vision seek urgent medical help.

Urgent medical attention could save your life or prevent serious complications.

How to reduce the risk of methanol poisoning
It is not possible to completely remove the risks from methanol poisoning when drinking alcohol but you can take steps to reduce the risk:

Avoid homemade or streetside alcohol. Don’t drink from unlabelled bottles. Local spirits or homemade alcohol are high risk.

Stick to licensed places. Only buy your drinks from licenced liquor stores, bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels.

Check bottles. Stick to sealed or bottled drinks. Seals should be intact, labels aren’t always accurate and can be counterfeit.

Be cautious about spirits, cocktails, shots, unusually cheap or free drinks. Pre-mixed cocktails served in “buckets” or jugs in tourist areas can be high risk.

How is methanol poisoning treated?
If you suspect methanol poisoning, either for yourself or a mate, you need to act fast. Timing is critical. Here’s what to do:

Get medical help straight away. Don’t wait to “see if it gets better.” Call for emergency help or head to the nearest hospital.
What doctors will do: They’ll give you an antidote like ethanol or a drug called Fomepizole to stop methanol from turning toxic in your body. You might also get dialysis to flush out the methanol and fix the damage.

Time matters: Treatment is most effective within 10–30 hours of drinking methanol. Don’t delay.

May the good lord keep protecting his children

FreeStuffsNG:
Eight countries added to methanol poisoning warning list




https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33p7vvyp2zo

Beware of Aba made alcohol. I repeat beware of the blodas who specialize in adulterated drinks for quick cash. They do fake beer and fake Coke.

Even Japan?..xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alcohol itself is already a poison to the body. Spiking it with Methanol is an outright intent to kill.

NAFDAC has long banned Methanol even as an ingredient in cosmetics. It's still being used in Nigeria due to it being much more affordable than ethanol.

Commentor:
Even Japan?..xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

These Britishers are very alchoholic always chasing high . Every europeans know of their penchant for getting high after consumption of Alchohol drinks .

USA guys go for drugs after taking Alcohol .

But seriously , even Japan is what iam unable to understand .

amaridigital:
Beware of Aba made alcohol. I repeat beware of the blodas who specialize in adulterated drinks for quick cash. They do fake beer and fake Coke.

How do you spot the difference or is it a case of itchy fingers?

I came to see if Nigeria is among and i'm not disappointed

Only God can scale us through

Home and abroad, I dont trust Nigerians. They are compellingly corrupt. A registered pharmacist can sell fake drugs to you to help kpai your sick child. Zero conscience.

Aba, Lagos and Anambra don dey produce fake drinks since before Abacha time na

To every same nairalander, please pretend you didn't see a Nigeria there,oooo,lest they tag you hater..

Just pretend you saw Niger republic

omoredia:
Nigeria under this Tinubu will always make the list for anything bad. Na wa oo

Yeah! After una gragra, MNK is still in detention. Even his brother and lawyer don join am

omoredia:
Nigeria under this Tinubu will always make the list for anything bad. Na wa oo

When we say say #No to fake products., some people sees it as an attack on a particular tribe.

Let's keep blaming Tinubu while pretending we don't know the culprits behind everything fake in Nigeria.
Fake spare part
Fake baby food
Fake postinor
Fake soft drinks

I can go on

I just hope NAFDAC will react immediately or will they play politics same way they did on the senate floor over much "sunset flavour" chemicals on our drinks here - coke,Fanta n sprite compare to those produce n sold in the UK...
I miss the e days of late Dora Akuyuli. May her soul continue to rest in peace!

If you don't drink at all, not even socially, you're safe

Why must we always represent inside any bad list.

I don't drink spirits. I'm safe.

For drinkers this can kill your liver and kidneys
It’s not too late to turn to water and juice

amaridigital:
Beware of Aba made alcohol. I repeat beware of the blodas who specialize in adulterated drinks for quick cash. They do fake beer and fake Coke.

Yea, I guess those agbo sellers, Japanese people and other Asians included in the list were Aba people?

I actually predicted this with all these sachet gin ...he bad economy caused by APC will make people resort to using methanol to make these cheap sachet gins Nigerians are killing themselves with ...Nigerians can no longer afford proper alcohol , wines and beer

Warned a friend about this. She been dey use drinking make mouth. Always posting snaps of her taking shots and going wild.
She say make I mind my business.

Heard she's hospitalized now.

Methanol is what is added to fake alcoholic drinks in Nigeria.