The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued an urgent warning for British travellers following a rise in deaths and serious illness across a number of destinations.
The FCDO has expanded methanol poisoning warnings to cover eight additional countries where incidents have been recorded.
Holidaymakers are advised to watch out for signs of methanol poisoning such as blurry vision and confusion.
Countries with newly added warnings about methanol poisoning include popular tourist spots, such as Japan and Mexico.
The expanded list builds on existing guidance for countries including Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Methanol is an industrial alcohol that can be found in antifreeze and paint thinners.
In some countries, it is illegally mixed with spirit-based drinks and cocktails to cut costs.
Even small amounts of methanol can cause blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours of consuming it.
Countries with newly added warnings about methanol poisoning include popular tourist destinations such as Japan
Mexico has been added to the FCDO’s methanol poisoning warnings list
The toxic substance is tasteless and odourless, making it impossible to detect.
It is absorbed in the gut within minutes and then gets into the bloodstream.
As the body attempts to clear methanol – breaking it down or metabolising it in the liver – an enzyme converts it to formaldehyde and formic acid.
It comes as a 28-year-old British lawyer died after drinking a shot at a hostel in Laos last year.
Simone White was one of at least six tourists who died from suspected methanol poisoning in the backpacker town of Vang Vieng, most likely from a bar that served bootleg spirits.
Experts say that poor countries along the Mekong River in particular are exploited by alcohol suppliers as there are low levels of law enforcement and little regulation in the hospitality industry.
This allows for the production of dangerous, counterfeit alcohol mixed with cheaper and toxic substances like methanol instead of ethanol, leading to poisoning and deaths.
Methanol is an industrial alcohol that can be found in antifreeze and paint thinners. In some countries, it is illegally mixed with spirit-based drinks and cocktails to cut costs
Brits are advised to purchase sealed drinks from licensed premises, avoid homemade alcohol and be particularly cautious of pre-mixed spirits, cocktails and drinks served in buckets or jugs.
Travellers are also advised to watch out for warning signs of methanol poisoning, which include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and confusion.
Though in the early stages methanol poisoning can resemble alcohol poisoning, distinctive symptoms of methanol poisoning – such as vision issues – can develop between 12-48 hours after consumption.
Anyone showing any signs of methanol poisoning should seek urgent medical attention immediately.
Full list of countries with methanol poisoning warnings
Ecuador*
Kenya*
Japan*
Mexico*
Nigeria*
Peru*
Uganda*
Russia*
Cambodia
Indonesia
Turkey
Costa Rica
Thailand
Vietnam
Laos
Fiji
*countries with new warnings
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Foreign Office issues urgent travel advice for eight countries after ‘deaths and serious illness’
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