Methanol poisoning spreads to Negri Sembilan

PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan has emerged as the fourth place – after Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Perak – to be affected by methanol poisoning, says the Health Ministry.

“Overall, 10 new cases have been reported, with seven in Selangor, and one each in KL, Perak and Negri Sembilan,” Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement yesterday.

With those, the total cases were 86 – 62 in Selangor, 16 in Kuala Lumpur, seven in Perak, and one in Negri Sembilan – registered from Sept 15 till noon yesterday, he added.

There were 29 deaths, including seven Malaysians, nationwide.

According to Dr Noor Hisham, 16 patients had been discharged while another 41 – 16 of them critical – were still being treated in 11 hospitals.

The injured and dead (by nationalities) are: Malaysia (nine living, seven deaths); Bangladesh (nine living, one death); India (two living, one death); Myanmar (11 living, 10 deaths); Nepal (25 living, six deaths); Indonesia (one living, no deaths); and unknown (four deaths).

Dr Noor Hisham noted that the suspected alcoholic drink brands were Grand Royal Whisky, Mandalay Whisky, Joker Whisky and the Kingfisher and Volcano beer brands.

Analysis conducted by the ministry as of now had confirmed that the Grand Royal Whisky and Mandalay Whisky respectively contained methanol at 169,300ppm (parts per million), or 16.93%; and 173,600ppm, or 17.36%, in violation of the Food Act 1983, he added.

The World Health Organisation states that overingesting or overexposure to methanol can permanently damage the human nervous system and sight. Exposure to methanol at 300 to 1,000ppm (0.03% to 0.1%) can result in a coma and death.

In addition, the products did not follow labelling requirements under the Food Regulations 1985, under the Food Act, such as the absence of the name and address of the manufacturer, importer or agent, the statement added.

On the enforcement action taken, Dr Noor Hisham said: “As atSept 22, up to 402 premises selling alcohol have been inspected, and 1,471 bottles of alcohol of various brands have been confiscated.”

Under Section 13 of the Food Act, any person caught preparing or selling any food which is poisonous or harmful to health is liable to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or a jail term not exceeding 10 years, or both.