On 30 June 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received a report on an incident involving two (2) women who allegedly consumed ‘Cosmic Carabao Gin’ and exhibited signs and symptoms related to methanol intoxication which include headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, and affected vision.
With this, the FDA commenced its own investigation on the implicated product ‘Cosmic Carabao Gin’ which is a locally manufactured alcoholic beverage. Currently, this product is not registered with the FDA. The manufacturing facility of Juan Brewing, Inc. shall be inspected and investigated for any possibility of adulteration specifically the addition of methanol during processing. Laboratory testing of the product is also being undertaken to check if the methanol content is compliant.
Further, the FDA has requested the assistance of the Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of Health to ensure that proper information from the patients relative to this incident is collected and verified. The FDA will also ensure that adequate coordination with the Law Enforcement Agencies shall be done to facilitate their own investigation.
The FDA hereby reiterates its previous Advisories following the casualties due to the consumption of unregistered food products including alcoholic beverages that have not gone through this agency’s registration and testing. The public is warned to exercise extreme caution in purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverages and advised to purchase and consume only those which are registered with the FDA.
All concerned regulated establishments are reminded to follow and strictly comply with the FDA’s existing rules and regulations to ensure that only safe and quality products shall be made available to the public. Appropriate regulatory action shall be imposed on those non- compliant establishments found violating current standards, rules, and regulations.
Attachment-> : FDA Advisory No.2019-181