Tainted alcohol death toll rises to 25
Costa Rica: Tainted alcohol death toll rises to 25; 59 people affected overall
Costa Rica's Ministry of Health says a total of 59 people have consumed tainted alcohol as the death toll due to the liquor rose to 25 in the Central American tourist destination.
According to a press release on the agency's website, 19 men and six women between the ages of 32 and 72 have died since June.
The Ministry of Health said it had closed 10 establishments and seized more than 55,000 containers of alcohol it said were laced with methanol, a colorless, poisonous alcohol found in antifreeze.
Adding methanol to distilled beverages allows sellers to increase the volume of liquid, as well as its potential potency, according to SafeProof, an organization that lobbies against counterfeit alcohol.
Earlier, the ministry said affected brands included Guaro Montano, Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella, Aguardiente Barón Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka and Molotov Aguardiente.
JAYME DEERWESTER | Published August 19, 2019 10:12 AM ET | USA TODAY | Posted August 19, 2019 11:12 AM ET |
Costa Rica's Ministry of Health says a total of 59 people have consumed tainted alcohol as the death toll due to the liquor rose to 25 in the Central American tourist destination.
According to a press release on the agency's website, 19 men and six women between the ages of 32 and 72 have died since June.
The Ministry of Health said it had closed 10 establishments and seized more than 55,000 containers of alcohol it said were laced with methanol, a colorless, poisonous alcohol found in antifreeze.
Adding methanol to distilled beverages allows sellers to increase the volume of liquid, as well as its potential potency, according to SafeProof, an organization that lobbies against counterfeit alcohol.
Earlier, the ministry said affected brands included Guaro Montano, Guaro Gran Apache, Aguardiente Estrella, Aguardiente Barón Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka and Molotov Aguardiente.
JAYME DEERWESTER | Published August 19, 2019 10:12 AM ET | USA TODAY | Posted August 19, 2019 11:12 AM ET |
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