Health recommends to avoid counterfeited alcohol

The Secretary of Health of Guanajuato issues recommendations to avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages of dubious origin

Guanajuato/Gto News

The Secretary of Health of Guanajuato is calling on consumers to avoid purchasing beverages at street markets, homes or businesses without a sales permit, on social media, and websites that do not belong to formal establishments.

Some recommendations to consider are:

• Be wary of prices that are too low: An unusually low cost may indicate adulteration or illegality.
• It is better to choose brands whose authenticity you can verify through a QR code; this allows you to check that the product is original and of legal origin.
• Avoid bulk or artisanal beverages, especially those in presentations larger than one liter.
• Check the condition of the container; avoid buying dirty, scratched, worn bottles, bottles with damaged labels, or bottles that appear to have been reused.
• The label on a regular alcoholic beverage must contain essential information.

• It must contain warning symbols, quantity, batch, best before date, product name or business name, name or designation, country of origin and precautionary statement.
• The alcohol percentage is between 2% and 55% alcohol by volume; a higher percentage cannot be marketed as an alcoholic beverage.
• If the label appears to be overlaid, it is not reliable; check that the seal is intact.
• Do not accept bottles with a broken cap, without a seal, or leaking when opened.
• Many bottles have a plastic or metal ring that should break evenly when opened. If the ring is already loose, broken, torn, or spins freely, do not drink from it.

• The lid should be factory sealed; if it turns too easily and/or with difficulty, or has scratches or glue residue, it is a clear sign of tampering.
• It is important to check the contents before consuming; it should not have particles, residue, or a cloudy appearance.
• If you buy two bottles of the same brand and the liquid level varies significantly, it is likely that they have been refilled by hand.
• It is vital that it has a verifiable seal or QR code, through which it can be verified that the beverage is from a formal market.
• The original labels are high quality, so if the paper looks poor quality, the letters are blurry, the ink smudges when you rub it with your finger, or it’s stuck on crooked, be suspicious.

The Secretary of Health of Guanajuato suggests going to the nearest unit if you experience the following signs and symptoms of possible alcohol poisoning:

If within the first 48 hours after consuming alcoholic beverages, symptoms such as severe headache, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, blurred vision or loss of sight, difficulty breathing, drowsiness or loss of alertness, or seizures occur

The Secretary of Health of Guanajuato reminds the public that methanol poisoning can manifest itself during the first 48 hours after consumption. It is essential to go immediately to the nearest medical unit to receive timely care. 

If you decide to consume alcoholic beverages, it is important to:

• Do it in moderation
• Avoid mixing different types of alcoholic beverages
• Do not drive vehicles or operate machinery after consumption
• Do not offer alcoholic beverages to minors
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid consuming alcohol

The Secretary of Health of Guanajuato reaffirmed its commitment to protect the health of Guanajuatenses and encouraged the public to consume only safe products of legal origin.

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