SP: supervision of adulterated beverages performs three more interdictions

The inspection actions against the sale of adulterated drinks took place in the municipality of Osasco, and in the southern and east zones of the state capital, with interdictions in three establishments, this Thursday (2).

In all, there have been interdictions in nine locations this week by the joint operation in São Paulo. Actions are a response to cases of methanol poisoning recorded in the state.

Methanol poisoning is severe, can lead to permanent blindness and even death. Methanol may be present in clandestine and adulterated alcohol, as well as products such as fuels, solvents and cleaning liquids.

According to the São Paulo government, in the capital, a cellar located in M’Boi Mirim was completely banned after the finding of several irregularities in relation to the products he sells. The site also had poor hygiene conditions, with the presence of rodents and cockroaches.

“Sanitary surveillance has identified overdue products, including beers and coconut water, no temperature control meats and inadequate stored foods. In addition, open boxes, incorrect labels and indications that some drinks had no proven origin were found,” he said in a statement.

During the action in M’Boi Mirim, the Sanitary Surveillance searched 5,585 bottles of various spirits. Police seized for analysis six vodka boxes (57 bottles) of a lot of the same distributor banned in the municipality of Barueri the day before.

In an inspection action at a beverage distributor in a leading city, in the eastern part of the capital, the Sanitary Surveillance interdicted 211 products for possible contamination analysis. The company was filed, but is still open for the marketing of the rest of the products that were not sealed.

Also according to a statement from the São Paulo government, in Osasco, the Sanitary Surveillance totally blocked two wineries.

The operations are performed together by the State Secretariats of Health, Public Safety, Farm and Justice, with a precautionary basis. The teams check bars, wineries and distributors in different municipalities, analyze documentation and collect suspicious drinks for analysis.

Denunciation channels

Complaints about possible irregularities and suspicions about adulterated beverages can be sent by the Denunciation Dial 181 or by site of the São Paulo Civil Police.

Procon also receives complaints for Disk 151 and site. The consumer protection agency won a shortcut on the site for cases related to cases.
Recommendations

The Health Department recommends that the patient with unusual condition after drinking alcohol should seek immediate medical care, perform laboratory tests and ophthalmological evaluation. Alert symptoms are intense abdominal pain, dizziness and mental confusion. Relief up to 6 hours after the onset of symptoms is critical to avoid aggravation.

Medical emergency

Methanol poisoning is an extremely severity medical emergency. The substance, when ingested, is metabolized in the body in toxic products (such as formaldehyde and formic acid), which can lead to death.

The main symptoms of intoxication are: cloudy vision or vision loss (may reach blindness) and widespread malaise (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating).

In case of identification of symptoms, immediately seek emergency medical services and contact at least one of the following institutions:

Anvisa Dial-Intoxication: 0800 722 6001;

Ciatox of your city for specialized guidance (see list here);

São Paulo Poison Control Center (CCI): (11) 5012-5311 or 0800-771-3733-from anywhere in the country;

It is important to identify and guide possible contacts that have consumed the same drink, recommending that you immediately seek a health service for proper assessment and treatment. The delay in care and identification of intoxication increases the likelihood of the most severe outcome with the patient’s death.