by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 9:35 AM ET, Thu October 9, 2025
The travel advisory from the Government of Canada for Brazil has been updated to warn travellers about the possibility of drinking “adulterated alcohol.” It comes on the heels of a reported rash of poisonings since August.
The travel risk warning has not changed from yellow/exercise a high degree of caution, but the safety and security section of the page has been updated with the new warning.
The advice already included a subsection about spiked food and drink, warning that drugs hidden in food and drinks have been used to force victims to use their debit or credit card to withdraw money from ATMs and to facilitate sex assaults. These incidents have been reported on beaches in Rio de Janeiro and crowded restaurants in São Paulo.
The latest warning, under the heading “Adulterated alcohol” gives another reason visitors may want to avoid liquor: methanol poisoning.
The warning states “People have died in Brazil after drinking methanol-adulterated alcohol. Poisoning incidents have been reported in various locations across the states of Sao Paulo and Pernambuco, and in Brasilia.”
The stark warning goes on to explain that methanol may be mixed with vodka, gin or whiskey sold in bars and at stores.
The Brazilian Ministry of Health has issued an advisory against consuming these beverages until further notice. If someone feels sick within 12 to 24 hours after consuming an alcoholic beverage, they should seek medical assistance immediately.
Food Safety News reports Brazil has ordered and distributed thousands of antidote to help treat poisoning victims.
Methanol-adulterated alcohol is a concern in other countries as well. Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru and Colombia have reported poisonings, as have Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
The colourless liquid is used in industrial and household products like paint thinners, antifreeze, varnish and photocopier fluid. It is cheap and has a taste smell to ethyl alcohol, (the booze we drink) so it is used by unscrupulous actors to make drinks seem stronger and to increase profits.
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