SAO PAULO (AP) — Friday night wasn’t typical for a bar near Paulista Avenue, one of the busiest areas in São Paulo and one of the tourist-favourite destinations. Almost every table ordered beer, wine and draft beer, but no cocktails.
Edilson Trindade, manager who has worked at the bar since 2018, told The Associated Press that the establishment usually sells around 80 Caipirinhas. Last week he didn’t sell one. No other cocktails have been ordered either.
“Clients are worried and recommend not drinking cocktails,” Trindade says.
His concerns reflect the police investigation, national unrest that has led to public fears and changed recent drinking habits following a surge in cases of methanol poisoning.
The Ministry of Health said on Friday it confirmed 11 cases linked to alcoholic beverages and is investigating 116 suspected cases. One person has been confirmed to die through a lab test in Sao Paulo, with 11 others under investigation.
Almost all cases have been reported in Sao Paulo, the country’s most populous state and epicenter of the outbreak.
Last week, local media reported deaths and hospitalizations related to methanol-contaminated alcohol. Some patients were admitted to intensive care with severe symptoms, including blindness.
One of them was rapper Hunglia, who was hospitalized in Brasilia after taking the alcoholic changes. On Friday, he posted on his Instagram account that he felt better and would be discharged from the hospital soon.
“Fridays have different energy. If you’re thirsty, find a safe place to drink,” the singer said.
Panic followed addiction
Health Minister Alexandre Padirja urged Brazilians to avoid drinking alcohol, particularly distilled drinks. He described the situation as abnormal, saying that Brazil recorded 20 cases of methanol poisoning in August and September, equal to the annual average.
“As the Physician and Minister of Health, I recommend avoiding distilled products, especially colorless products. “These are not essential items.”
Warnings from authorities and doctors have caused panic among many Brazilians.
Some facilities have told customers they will temporarily suspend sales of distillation spirit. Customers swapped cocktails such as traditional Brazilian Caipirinha for fermented drinks. Other bars have changed their menu and have started offering cocktail mixes without distilled drinks.
Jessica Avila, a 34-year-old cultural producer, was in a bar managed by Trindade near Avenida Pollista on Friday night.
“It’s amazing as all these cases continue to come and more deaths are reported every day. I’ve even seen famous people in hospital,” she said. “Now I can’t drink distilled spirits unless I guarantee they’re not forged. I’m stuck with beer.”
Counterfeit business
There are three main types of alcohols: ethanol, methanol and isopropanol. Ethanol is safe to consume and is found in the spirits. Isopropanol is used in disinfectants and friction alcohols. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is used in fuels, antifreezes and solvents.
Methanol poisoning can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, seizures, and even coma, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC advises immediate medical procedures if you suspect addiction.
Authorities are inspecting bars and distributors suspected of selling contaminated products. “We decided that methanol contaminated a counterfeit alcoholic beverage, so how do we understand it,” Altul Diane, chief of the São Paulo police, told the Associated Press.
Police still don’t know if the contamination of the product is intentional or accidental. He said counterfeit spirits can usually be mixed with other substances to increase the amounts and benefits that may contain methanol. Another possibility is that the bottle has been contaminated with toxic substances.
“We know that small amounts are not contaminated and cannot cause health damage, but we don’t know the exact amount that could remain in the bottle.
The Brazilian Distilled Beverage Association said the illegal alcohol market is on the rise. A survey by EuroMonitor commissioned by the Association found that mixed beverages account for 28% of the Brazilian market, selling at a price of 35% lower than legitimate products.
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