The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public to be cautious when purchasing alcoholic beverages as social gatherings are expected to increase during the holiday season.
Serious Health Risks from Fake and Unregistered Alcohol
In an advisory, the FDA’s Center for Food Regulation and Research cautioned consumers against fake, unregistered, adulterated, or counterfeit alcoholic drinks circulating in the market, stressing that these products pose serious health risks.
The agency warned that consuming unregistered alcoholic beverages may lead to methanol poisoning, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, or even death. It urged consumers to always check product authenticity before purchasing.
“Ensure a safe celebration this holiday season by purchasing and consuming only FDA-registered products,” the FDA said.
Buy Only from Legitimate and Trusted Establishments
Consumers were advised to buy alcoholic beverages only from legitimate and trusted stores that source their products from authorized distributors or manufacturers. The FDA also encouraged the public to verify the registration status of alcoholic beverages through its Verification Portal at https://verification.fda.gov.ph.
FDA Steps Up Monitoring, Urges Public to Report Violations
The FDA said it continues to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to monitor and take action against individuals involved in the manufacture, distribution, or sale of fake and unregistered alcoholic products.
The public may report suspicious or unregistered items through the FDA’s e-report system at ereport@fda.gov.ph.
