17.12.2025 09:40
Fake alcohol continues to cause fatalities, especially before the New Year. Methanol poisoning results in death or permanent disability in one out of every three cases, making it vital to seek emergency medical attention even at the slightest signs such as dizziness, nausea, and vision disturbances.
Every year, dozens of people lose their lives due to counterfeit alcohol. Especially around New Year's, hospital admissions increase. Every second wasted when there is even the slightest suspicion brings one closer to death.
With only a few days left until the New Year, counterfeit alcohol has once again come to the forefront. Consuming counterfeit alcohol, or in other words, methanol poisoning, has irreversible consequences. Because one in three patients either dies or has to live with a disability.
Even if one of the symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or vision impairment is observed, it is vital to go to the hospital without delay.
Since it is impossible to distinguish counterfeit alcohol by its smell, color, or any other feature, the place of purchase is very important. Purchases should be made from establishments that have a license to sell alcohol.
"IMPOSSIBLE TO DETECT" Experts continue to warn about counterfeit alcohol. Food Engineer Süleyman Uzun stated that it is impossible for a consumer to detect counterfeit alcohol. Uzun said, "Unfortunately, there is no way for the consumer to understand this by smell or taste. We can detect that the product is counterfeit in a laboratory environment."
A person who died due to counterfeit alcohol in Fatih was captured in this way MORTALITY RATE INCREASING Prof. Dr. Ayça Açıkalın Akpınar, President of the Toxicology Group of the Turkish Emergency Medicine Association, emphasized that a certain period must pass for the patient to understand whether it is normal alcohol or methanol poisoning. Akpınar highlighted that the mortality rate is quite high in cases of late hospital admission.
CAUSING PERMANENT DAMAGE Dr. Ömer Taşkın, a member of the Toxicology Group of the Turkish Emergency Medicine Association, stated that a patient who came to the hospital due to counterfeit alcohol died despite receiving all treatments. Taşkın said, "We found that one in three had to live with permanent damage."
WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO IN COUNTERFEIT ALCOHOL? Experts emphasize that consumers should be suspicious of open bottles and warn citizens about price, packaging, and labeling. Counterfeit alcohol often has differences in packaging and labeling compared to original products. Blurry, crooked, or faded writing on the label may indicate that it is counterfeit. In Turkey, alcoholic beverages must have a TAPDK banderole. The absence of a banderole or a counterfeit appearance may be a warning sign.
POSSIBLE TO DISTINGUISH WITH GIB APPLICATION With the Bandrolled Product Tracking System mobile application developed by the Revenue Administration, consumers can check the tobacco products and alcoholic beverages they purchase against the banderole on them.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF METHANOL POISONING? The initial symptoms of methanol poisoning include unconscious movements, dizziness, and drowsiness. In those who consume counterfeit alcohol, vision loss may occur due to damage to the optic nerves. Additionally, due to the damage it causes in the brain, problems such as difficulty walking, loss of mobility, and abnormal thought disorders may also arise.