The Plenary of the House of Representatives approved, on Thursday (2), the urgent regime for a proposal that makes a heinous crime to adulteration of food or beverages from the addition of ingredients that may cause risk to life or serious threat to health. Urgent projects can be voted directly in the plenary, without passing before the commissions. 
The mobilization of parliament occurs after the record of several cases in São Paulo and other states of intoxication for the presence of methanol in adulterated alcohol. According to the Ministry of Health, the number of cases across the country reached 43. In the state of Six deaths were recorded.
Heinous crime is unenforceable and unsusceptible to grace, pardon or amnesty, bail and provisional freedom. The project does not propose the extent of the penalty, but the heinous crimes law determines penalties of up to 30 years, with more slow regime progression.
Medical emergency
Methanol poisoning is an extremely severity medical emergency. The substance, when ingested, is metabolized in the body in toxic products (such as formaldehyde and formic acid), which can lead to death.
The main symptoms of intoxication are: cloudy vision or vision loss (may reach blindness) and widespread malaise (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating).
In case of identification of symptoms, immediately seek emergency medical services and contact at least one of the following institutions:
- Anvisa Dial-Intoxication: 0800 722 6001
- Ciatox of your city for specialized guidance – see list here
- São Paulo (CCI) Poison Control Center: (11) 5012-5311 or 0800-771-3733-from anywhere in the country
It is important to identify and guide possible contacts that have consumed the same drink, recommending that you immediately seek a health service for proper assessment and treatment. The delay in care and identification of intoxication increases the likelihood of the most severe outcome, with the death of the patient.
