FCDO issues methanol poisoning advisory for Laos

The FCDO stated that in light of the deaths of six tourists last week, travellers to Laos should be aware of the risk of purchasing counterfeit alcohol manufactured with methanol.

The government agency warned that the substance, which can cause death and serious illness, has been used in the manufacture of both “counterfeit replicas of well-known alcohol brands or illegal spirits, like vodka.”

It added that travellers should take care when offered or purchasing, “particularly free”, spirit-based drinks, recommending that they pay attention to the “labels, smell, and taste” to identify counterfeit alcohol.

Warning signs of contaminated liquor

Drinks that could be affected by methanol contamination include “local spirits, including rice and palm liquor; spirit-based mixed drinks such as cocktails; and counterfeit brand-name bottled liquor” sold in shops or behind bars.

The FCDO recommended that to safeguard against this issue, visitors to Laos should:

• Buy alcoholic beverages only from licensed liquor stores
• Buy drinks only at licensed bars and hotels
• Avoid home-made alcoholic drinks
• Check bottle seals are intact
• Check labels for poor print quality or incorrect spelling.

The agency highlighted that methanol, in isolation, is a tasteless and odourless liquid that when consumed, “can rapidly lead to serious illness”. Other than death, it can also lead to blindness, permanent damage to the central nervous system, and a comatose state.