The federal government investigates a possible contamination by food etanol in the cooling fluid used in a production line of Coca-Cola, in Fortaleza (CE). The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) has preventively suspended production activities in the unit.
A, responsible for brand production in the region. During inspection, map technicians found that there was contact between the cooling liquid, which contains food alcohol, and the products in manufacturing process. The suspension will be maintained until the company finalizes the necessary adjustments and proves that there was no contamination.
According to Paulo Barros, gastroenterologist at the Center Specialized in Digestive Apparatus of the German Hospital Oswaldo Cruz, contamination of food ethanol represents “a serious risk to health”, especially in children.
“The main risk lies in the unintentional consumption of a psychoactive substance, which can compromise motor, neurological functions and, in extreme cases, lead to alcoholic coma and even death,” he says.
Initial symptoms of ethanol poisoning include euphoria and psychomotor agitation. “With the increase in the amount ingested, these signs can evolve to compromise of motor coordination, mental confusion and loss of consciousness,” says Barros.
“At higher levels of intoxication, serious dysfunctions such as respiratory depression and alcoholic coma may occur, situations that pose a real risk of death. Therefore, any suspicion of ethanol intake, especially by children, requires immediate medical attention,” he warns.
Despite the risks, products suspected of contamination by food ethanol did not reach the market. “We believe there was no contamination,” says Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro.
*With information from Gabriel Garcia, from CNN in Brasilia
