Measure gained strength after recent cases of methanol poisoning in the country, which caused serious hospitalizations, loss of vision and deaths
It approved the urgency to vote on a bill that hardens the penalties against alcoholics and food. The proposal (PL 2307/07) provides that tampering with substances that may be a risk to life or serious threat to health is considered a heinous crime. With the approval of the urgency, the text may be voted directly by the plenary, without the need for analysis by the commissions. The designated rapporteur is Deputy Kiko Celeguim (PT-SP).
The measure gained strength after recent cases of methanol poisoning in adulterated beverages, which caused serious hospitalizations, loss of vision and deaths in states such as São Paulo and Pernambuco. According to this, 113 notifications have been registered across the country, including 12 confirmed deaths or in investigation.
Currently, the penalty for falsification of drinks is 4 to 8 years in prison. The project expands punishment to 6 to 12 years of imprisonment, as well as providing severe fines and the possibility of closing establishments that market adulterated products. The mayor, (Republicans-PB), defended the change. “We have to punish not only those who commit tampering, but also those who sell. We need to advance with severe fines and stronger inspection,” he said in an interview with CNN.
Emergency Government Measures
Given the advance of intoxications, the Ministry of Health has set up a national situation room to monitor cases and reinforce the response in real time. The folder also started to disclose daily updates on the number of occurrences, in order to ensure transparency and agility in actions.
To reduce the impact of the crisis, the government has acquired 4,300 ampoules of pharmaceutical ethanol, an antidote against methanol poisoning, and is in the process of buying another 150,000. Brazil also requested international support to ensure the supply of another medicine, the hunger, considered more effective, but produced by few countries. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has already been called in to provide emergency lots.
The ministry guided states and municipalities to immediately notify all suspected cases and reinforced the alert to bars and distributors. The recommendation is for the population to be suspicious of beverages sold at prices far below the market or in places of doubtful origin.
The expectation of the Chamber is to vote the bill in plenary later this month. For proposal advocates, change in law is a fundamental step in harshly punishing those responsible and at the same time signaling that drink tampering cannot continue to put lives at risk.
*Report produced with the aid of AI
