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Tourists to all-inclusive resorts in Mexico suspect they were given tainted alcohol


Marlayne

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Yes, this has been around the tourist areas for many years. It is cane alcohol, 95% pure. It is still ethyl alcohol, sold as white lightning or "Everclear" in the north. It costs about 30 pesos per liter. There is a weaker version sold legally and very inexpensive. It is often used in poorer communities to "spike" the fruit punch for a wedding, etc.

If you are in a budget, all inclusive resort, it is best to ask for the alcohol on the side. Unless it has been carbon filtered, the ethyl alcohol has a wet cardboard smell - pretty noticeable.

The methyl alcohol, the poisonous one, is produced in an inconsequential amount and is undrinkable, taste wise. It is always discarded.

In the north, the bad bars water their drinks, in the south, they mix in cheap alcohol.

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According to a report [2017] by the COFEPRIS, Mexican health authorities have seized more than 1.4 million gallons of adulterated alcohol since 2010. Such numbers are not only from small local establishments, but also from hotels and other entertainment areas.

http://www.solmexiconews.com/tourists-injuries-from-adulterated-alcohol-prompt-more-inspections-of-mexican-bars-and-restaurants/

 

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Everclear, which is alcohol from corn, and cane alcohol do not have to be dangerous.  Rum is a form of cane alcohol, made from molasses.  It sounds like what is happening here could be the use of non food grade alcohol or other things being used to "cut" the more expensive stuff.  After reading your citation, Michael, I am still unclear as to exactly how the alcohol here is being adulterated that makes it unsafe.

So exactly what is being used here that makes the stuff unsafe?  One story reports this:

Quote

The liquor, which might have been bootlegged, may have been “infused with grain alcohol or dangerous concentrations of methanol, cheaper alternatives to producing ethanol,” The Journal Sentinel reported.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/07/21/contaminated-drugged-liquor-may-be-responsible-for-womans-mysterious-death-at-mexican-resort-dad-says.html

And from here:

Quote

Four of every 10 bottles of alcohol sold in Mexico are adulterated alcohol, meaning diluted with water, extra flavoring, and coloring. According to the Tax Administration Service (SAT), 43% of the alcohol consumed in the country is illegal, which could be worth more than three billion dollars.

From 2013 to date, Mexico has seized 3.3 million liters of adulterated alcohol, a mixture from ethyl alcohol with poor production practices, which usually contain colorings or flavorings and which may cause severe damage to health to cause death.

The last seizure, and the largest to date, was conducted recently in a production of Iztacalco, in the Federal District. 985,000 liters of alcoholic and 30,000 liters of ethyl alcohol in bulk: there more than one million liters of illegal alcohol was found.

According to the authorities, adulterated alcohol is not only found in clandestine sites, but also in entertainment centers, recreation family, hotels, open bars, convenience stores and shopping malls.

So far the current administration, has made 481 Cofepris Health checks on alcohol in nightclubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and manufacturing facilities. In 57 cases the government has closed or suspended operations of businesses.

In July 336,565 liters of illicit liquor in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta were seized. And in February, they confiscated over 825,000 liters of ethyl alcohol in Veracruz and Hidalgo. There have also been operations in Nuevo Leon and in the Bajio.

Irregularities are usually: the use of colors and flavors, poor manufacturing practices and processes in dirty facilities, including rodent feces.

https://www.vallartadaily.com/

 

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