PARLIAMENT | ALCOHOL | UNBS | METHANOL

State Minister of Trade David Bahati has informed Parliament that the gin that killed 14 people and left over 20 in critical condition in different hospitals in Arua was adulterated with excessive levels of methanol.

According to laboratory analysis of samples taken for City 5 Gin by the Uganda Police Force from the kiosk where the product was being sold, Bahati informed the MPs that the product had been adulterated with excessive levels of methanol above the permissible limit of 50 mg/L and low levels of ethanol below the required 37.5% mass per volume (v/v) in the Standard.

According to Bahati, this indicates that the amount of methanol discovered was between 17 and 16, 183 times greater than the allowable quantity of 50 milligrams.

Methanol, unlike ethanol, is dangerous for humans to consume since it can be readily absorbed by the skin, eyes, lungs, and digestive system, and excessive exposure to it can result in death.

Methanol is an industrial chemical primarily employed in the production of fuel as well as in the synthesis of other chemicals, plastics, polyesters, and other materials, as well as an antifreeze and denaturant for ethanol. Additionally, methanol is frequently used to thin down or dissolve wall paints and wood stains.

According to Bahati, the gin was produced by Luluwiri Fruit Wine Company, which has not yet been given authorization by UNBS to create the alcoholic beverage.

“Therefore, the City 5 Gin had not yet been certified by UNBS for conformity to the relevant standards and therefore should have not been in production and for sale to the public,” he said.

He said the suspects involved in the manufacture and sale of City 5 Gin have been arrested and are in the custody of the Uganda Police Force, the Bureau has sealed off and suspended the production facilities where Adulterated Gin was found until further notice and the Bureau has suspended the certification process of products from the suspected production facilities until further notice.

He further informed the House chaired by Thomas Tayebwa that the Bureau has placed Advertisements on Local Radios in West Nile Region to caution people against the consumption of City 5 Gin and other uncertified Beverages.

Tayebwa applauded the Ministry and UNEBS for acting quickly.