The ingredients used to make a batch of traditional wine in Takeo province which killed three and saw three more hospitalised. CCF
Three people died and three others were hospitalised after consuming tainted alcohol in Takeo province’s Traing district.
The Ministry of Health issued a press release earlier today, warning that the six victims – from Tnaot Village in Sra Ngae commune – consumed the poisonous concoction on August 16.
Testing by the Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF) determined that the contaminated alcohol was 15 per cent methanol, a level that is fatal. The ministry added that the safe methanol level to produce wine is no more than 0.1 per cent, although the ministry warned against using it to strengthen traditional alcohol.
Vei Samnang, governor of Takeo province, told The Post that one alcohol producer has been detained by authorities for questioning and will likely face further legal action.
“He was selling ingredients to produce wine and also making wine for sale. We have heard that he has been doing this for a long time, but we do not know where he got his latest ingredients from,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Health, from 2020 to 2024, the Kingdom recorded 517 cases of alcohol poisoning, resulting in 89 deaths.
Authorities and emergency response teams have been dispatched to educate the local populations. The teams are urging people to exercise caution and adhere to strict food and beverage hygiene practices, while also urging an end to the practice of producing improper or illicit alcohol, as well as its sale.
The health ministry has called for all citizens and relevant stakeholders across the country to implement measures to prevent methanol contamination in alcohol. They emphasised that methanol is not a legitimate component of alcoholic beverages and urged a halt to its use in alcohol production.
The ministry also warned citizens against buying, selling, producing, or consuming alcohol with unclear origins or that does not comply with the correct technical standards.
It advised all authorities to deploy enforcement teams to quash the sale of illegal alcohol and educate the public.
Samnang shared his own warning with consumers, noting that some producers may lack the necessary expertise to produce safe alcoholic beverages.
“Consumers must also take some responsibility and avoid excessive drinking, as even a little methanol can be harmful. Everyone, including sellers and producers, must share responsibility,” he said.
