The China Mail - Caipirinhas cancelled: Brazil on alert over deadly drinks

One person has been confirmed dead due to methanol poisoning, with another 11 deaths under investigation, the health ministry said Friday.

In total, 11 poisonings have been confirmed and 102 are suspected, most of them in Sao Paulo, and cases were reported in four other states and the capital Brasilia.

Local media report that victims have ended up in a coma or gone blind after consuming cocktails at upscale bars and restaurants.

The scare has fueled nationwide angst as many people avoid gin, vodka and cachaça — the base of Brazil's beloved caipirinha.

"I'm definitely not going out to drink this weekend. Things are worrying," said Rafael Martinez, a 30-year-old architect having lunch in the Jardins neighborhood of Sao Paulo, where one bar has been shuttered by authorities.

"For now, I'd rather stick to soda or, at most, beer, which they said is harder to tamper with."

Health Minister Alexandre Padilha on Friday told Brazilians to steer clear of colorless spirits.

The origin of the adulterated alcohol is unknown and federal police said this week they were probing a potential link with organized crime.

The health ministry has set up a "situation room" to tackle the crisis and is looking at home and abroad to stockpile known methanol antidotes.

Methanol is an industrial chemical that is highly toxic to humans, damaging the liver and nerves.

It is sometimes found in fake or badly made alcoholic drinks.

- 'Why risk it?'-

Nikolaos Loukopoulos, 55, who owns the Greek restaurant Athenas in a lively area of Sao Paulo, has decided to stop selling liquor for at least a week.

"Last night no one bought drinks... even I don't want to drink. With a beer, we're fine in this heat. Why risk it?" he told AFP.

"I'm going to suspend my supply of spirits until my distributors tell me if they're having a problem."

Tourist hotspot Rio de Janeiro has not recorded any cases, but several restaurants have published statements on Instagram to reassure clients.

Thais Flores, 28, a dental surgeon from Sao Paulo, begrudgingly bought a Corona from one of the cocktail-serving kiosks on Ipanema beach.

"I don't really like beer, but because of the latest news, it's been my drink of choice," she said.

Her friend from Rio, Raquel Marques, 29, nevertheless swigged from her caipi-vodka.

"I'm scared, but we took a chance. The guy said he bought it at the market."

The kiosk owner Fabio de Souza, 44 said "four people have already asked about methanol."

He is worried about business as the weekend kicks into full gear, but said he was letting his clients taste the alcohol neat "so they feel more confident."

Neither he, nor his clients, were aware that methanol is odorless and flavorless.

K.Leung--ThChM