The process of analyzing drinks with suspected tampering is a work done for years by the scientific police of São Paulo. Seized bottles undergo a sequence of analyzes that includes the verification of labels and seals, as well as chemical examinations to identify levels of substances such as methanol.
“This process guarantees legal materiality to investigations and will contribute to the accountability of those involved in forgery,” said the São Paulo government, in a statement released on Saturday (4). The creation of a crisis office last Tuesday (30) intensified measures to combat falsification of drinks in the face of recent cases of methanol poisoning.
The task force in the state has the participation of the Civil Police, Secretariat of Finance, Procon-SP and state and municipal sanitary surveillances. In all, there were 10 establishments with interdictions – partial or total – precautionary in the state last week.
From these actions, it is possible to gather beverage samples and check suspicions of methanol contamination. Beverage analysis steps begin with the arrival of samples to the Criminalistics Institute, after inspection or police seizure.
Products are recorded and sent to the Core Documentscopy, which will check signs of tampering on labels, seals and packaging. Among the equipment used is the spectral video comparator, a machine that allows you to check changes in seals and print marks.
After this stage, the bottles are sent to the Chemistry Center, where the laboratory analysis of the liquid occurs. Comparison of samples is made with original standards provided by manufacturers. The examination is able to detect the presence of methanol and, if confirmed, quantifies concentration.
“The process is performed seven days a week to accelerate the results in the severity of the cases that have surfaced in recent days,” the state said. The technical report of the Scientific Police is the document that confirms the falsification of a drink and whether the methanol level found is harmful.
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 Poison Control Center (CCI): (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 patient’s death.
