Brazil Reports 24 Methanol Poisonings, 5 Deaths as Investigations Expand

Overview

• The Health Ministry’s latest bulletin lists 259 notifications with 24 confirmed intoxications and five deaths, with confirmations in São Paulo (20), Paraná (3) and the first in Rio Grande do Sul (1).
• São Paulo remains the epicenter with 181 suspected cases under review and five fatalities now confirmed, as two late‑September deaths were newly validated by state authorities.
• Senacon notified Shopee, Enjoei, Mercado Livre, Amazon Brasil, Magazine Luiza, Casas Bahia, Americanas, Zé Delivery and Carrefour to halt ads and sales of distilled spirits and related packaging, requiring responses within 24 hours.
• Forensic police in São Paulo confirmed methanol in seized lots at levels inconsistent with natural distillation, while raids closed clandestine operations, seized thousands of bottles and led to multiple arrests.
• Health authorities distributed pharmaceutical ethanol, arranged international procurement of fomepizol and expanded testing capacity, as separate inspections in states such as Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais intensified checks and seizures.