Morocco Methanol Alcohol Warning: Blindness Risk for Travelers

British authorities are calling on their nationals to exercise caution when consuming alcohol in Morocco. The Kingdom is on a list of 29 destinations where the risk of methanol poisoning is flagged to travelers.

On Bladi.net : The United Kingdom warns its nationals visiting Morocco

Methanol is an industrial alcohol used in solvents, antifreeze and varnishes. Much cheaper than alcohol intended for consumption, it can be illegally added to counterfeit beverages. Poorly controlled artisanal production can also cause contamination.

According to The Sun, the British warning also concerns Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico, Turkey, Vietnam and Laos. However, the ranking does not mean that a wave of poisonings is currently being recorded in Morocco: it is a general precautionary recommendation addressed to travelers.

Fake alcohol can cost you your sight

The danger is difficult to detect. Methanol is colorless and may have no taste or odor to distinguish it immediately from a regular drink.

The first symptoms may resemble a severe hangover: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue or confusion. Breathing difficulties and vision problems may then appear, sometimes between 12 and 48 hours after consumption.

Blurred vision, unusual sensitivity to light or loss of sight should prompt immediate emergency care. British authorities remind that the speed of treatment can be decisive.

To limit risks, tourists are advised to avoid free shots, cocktails served from unlabeled bottles and alcohol sold at abnormally low prices. Special attention is recommended for spirits served in cocktails, carafes or large shared containers.

Travelers can opt for beers, wines and pre-mixed drinks from well-known brands, in bottles or cans still sealed. London also advises sourcing from authorized shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs, rather than from informal vendors.