Overview

• São Paulo’s DEIC arrested a man accused of supplying bottles, caps, labels, boxes and forged federal tax seals used to produce adulterated spirits across the state, and seized the materials.
• Investigators say the main hypothesis is that methanol, or ethanol mixed with methanol, was used to wash reused bottles in clandestine plants; laboratory work found methanol in 2 of the first 10 bottles tested, with more than 1,000 bottles collected and about 250 under analysis.
• Reporting details large online groups and e‑commerce listings offering branded empty bottles, caps and seals with nationwide delivery and bulk pricing, a trade experts say enables falsification though selling empties itself is legal.
• The Health Ministry’s latest bulletin cites 59 suspected cases and 12 confirmed methanol intoxications, including one confirmed death in São Paulo.
• The Chamber of Deputies approved urgent consideration of a bill to classify the adulteration of foods and beverages as a heinous crime carrying heavier penalties.