Once near the Sao Paulo’s stir Paulista Avenue, a bar recently experienced an unusual Friday night: not a single cocktail was ordered. Instead, the mentor is particularly chosen for beer, wine, or draft beer, which is a farewell from the ideal in one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
Edilson Tinded, who managed the establishment from 2018, revealed that his bar usually sells about 80 capirinhas – Brazilian’s iconic cocktail catchca, lime, sugar and ice – each evening. Last week, however, sales for all cocktails became zero.
“Customers are worried, and we are advising them that it is better not to drink cocktails,” said Mr. Trinded. This apprehension reflects a growing national anxiety about distilled souls, which arises from recent bounce in matters of methanol toxicity. The incidents have intensified police investigation, public concern, and have made a lot of change in drinking habits in Brazil in recent times.
The Health Ministry said on Friday that it has confirmed 11 cases tied to alcoholic beverages and is investigating 102 suspicious cases. One Death was confirmed through lab tests Sao PauloAlong with eleven others under investigation.
Almost all the cases have been reported in the country’s most populous state and Uprindra Sao Paulo of outbreak.
Last week, local media reported deaths related to methanol-dag liquor and hospitalization. Some patients were admitted for intensive care with serious symptoms, including blindness.
One of them was the rapper Hungaria, who was probably admitted to a hospital in Brasilia after drinking alcohol. On Friday, he posted on himself Instagram Eats that he was feeling better and will be discharged soon.
The singer said, “Friday has a different energy. If you feel thirsty, find a safe place to drink a drink,” the singer said.
Health Minister Alexandre Padila requested Brazilian To avoid drinking, especially distilled drinks, which are more difficult to verify for adulteration. He described the situation as unusual and said that Brazil registered cases of 20 methanol poisoning in August and September, which was equal to its annual average.
“As a physician and health minister, I recommend everyone to avoid distilled products, especially colorless people, unless you are sure about their origin,” said Padila. “These are not required items.”
Warnings of officials and doctors created panic among many Brazilians.
Some establishments told customers that they would temporarily suspend the sale of distilled souls. Customers exchange of cocktails like traditional Brazilian Captainha for fermented drinks. Other times have changed their menu and started offering cocktail mixes without distilled beverages.
The 34 -year -old cultural producer, Jessica Arevila, was resting with friends on Friday night near Avnida Polyista at Bar Tinded, but still feeling “very worried”.
“It is worrying that those who keep coming with all these cases and more deaths are reported every day. I have also seen famous people hospitalized,” he said. “Right now, I cannot bring myself to drink any distilled spirit until I have some assurance that they are not fake. I’m clinging to beer.”
There are three main types of alcohol: ethanol, methanol and isopropenol. Ethanol is safe for consumption and is found in souls. Isopropenol is used in sanitizer and rubbing alcohol. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is used in fuel, antifinzers and solvents.
According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, methanol poisoning can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, seizures and even coma. If poisoning is suspected, the CDC recommends immediate medical attention.
Officials have inspected bar and distributors on suspicion of selling contaminated products. “We have determined that Methonol has contaminated fake alcoholic beverages.”
The police still do not know that the product contamination was deliberate or accidental. Those individuals who combine fake spirits usually with other substances to increase volume and profit, which may include methanol, said. Another possibility is that the bottles were contaminated with toxins.
“While we know that small amounts are not contaminated and they are not able to cause health damage, we do not know the exact amount that can live in a bottle, the witch said.
Brazil’s Association of Distilled Beverage said that the illegal liquor market is growing. A study by UromonatorCommission by the association, it was found that adulterated drinks make 28% of the Brazilian market and are sold at 35% lower prices than legitimate products.