The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a renewed travel advisory warning its citizens about the growing risk of methanol poisoning from counterfeit or tainted alcoholic drinks in eight countries, including Nigeria and Uganda. The updated alert highlights a broader public health concern as fake products proliferate in low-income markets with weak regulatory oversight.
According to the advisory, methanol, a toxic industrial alcohol often found in antifreeze and paint thinners is being illegally mixed with spirit-based drinks to reduce production costs.
The FCDO noted a rise in cases of serious illness and death linked to contaminated beverages in popular travel destinations such as Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, and Uganda.
Fake products and weak regulation
Experts say the issue highlights a wider trend of counterfeit goods thriving in economies where enforcement is lax and production is largely informal.
In many African countries, limited monitoring and poor border controls have made it easier for fake alcoholic beverages to enter the market, often without proper quality checks. These drinks, typically sold in unbranded bottles or small sachets, pose serious risks to both residents and visitors.
Tourists who perceive food and beverage safety as unreliable may choose safer destinations, undermining local economies that depend heavily on hospitality and travel revenues.
Kenya and Nigeria, both major tourism and business hubs, could face reputational risks if such incidents increase.
The FCDO urged British travellers to exercise caution, advising them to avoid locally brewed or unlabelled spirits and to seek medical help immediately if they experience symptoms such as nausea, blurred vision, or confusion after drinking.
Minister for Consular and Crisis Affairs, Hamish Falconer, said methanol poisoning “can kill” and that its early symptoms “mirror ordinary alcohol poisoning,” warning that “by the time travellers realise the danger, it can be too late.”
Public health experts have called on governments in the affected countries to tighten food and drink regulations, strengthen supply chain monitoring, and ensure that local producers comply with safety standards to prevent avoidable deaths and restore international confidence in their markets.
