Eleven countries added to methanol poisoning warning list

The UK Foreign Office has added 11 more countries to its list warning of the risks of methanol poisoning from contaminated alcoholic drinks.

The updated travel guidelines include Bangladesh, India, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda, following “a global increase in the number of reported cases” of methanol poisoning.

Last month, Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia and Uganda were added to the existing list, following a number of high-profile incidents, including the deaths of six tourists in Laos in 2024.

Travelers are warned that even small amounts of methanol can cause blindness or death within 12 to 48 hours.

Methanol is a toxic industrial alcohol used in antifreeze, windshield washer fluid and paint thinner. It is not intended for human consumption.

Although it is produced naturally during the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, commercial companies reduce it to low levels safe for human consumption through the distillation process.

But in some countries it is illegally mixed with alcoholic beverages to cut costs, and because it is tasteless and odorless, it is impossible to detect.

The Foreign Office is running a campaign to advise on risk reduction and recognizing the symptoms of methanol poisoning.

Foreign Minister Hamish Falconer said all travelers should know the signs of methanol poisoning.

“If you drink spirits abroad, stick to trusted places and avoid homemade alcohol or free shots,” Falconer said.

“If something is wrong, such as a hangover much worse than normal or vision problems, seek medical attention promptly.”

The full list of countries at risk of methanol poisoning are: Brazil, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda and Vietnam.