Experts state that counterfeit alcoholic beverages are released onto the market by unlicensed manufacturers, and their low prices lead consumers to prefer them. Noting that these beverages, released with fake tax stamps and low cost, cannot be detected by consumers, Chemical Engineer Öznur Eyilcim said, “Methyl alcohol, preferred due to its lower cost and cheapness, leads to many diseases, including various poisonings, and even death.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Health Services Vocational School (SHMYO) Food Technology Lecturer Öznur Eyilcim addressed the issue of counterfeit alcohol, providing information about the risks to human health.
Counterfeit alcohol also has fake tax stamps
Lecturer Öznur Eyilcim stated that counterfeit alcoholic beverages are leaked into the market by unlicensed and illicit workshops, saying, “These beverages, which are as unhealthy as they are illegal, are sold illegally in our country. These counterfeit alcoholic beverages, preferred due to their low cost and low price, also have fake tax stamps. These beverages, released with fake tax stamps and low cost, are preferred by consumers due to their low prices.”
Cannot be detected by smell or taste!
Eyilcim also stated that consumers cannot detect counterfeit alcohol by its smell or taste, saying, “The consumer's duty in this regard is to check whether the tax stamp on the packaging is approved by the Tobacco and Alcohol Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.”
Necessary inspections and operations are frequently carried out
Noting that although a definitive solution for the production and sale of counterfeit alcohol cannot be found, authorities frequently carry out necessary inspections and operations to prevent the manufacturing and leakage of counterfeit alcohol into the market, Eyilcim provided the following information about what counterfeit alcoholic beverages contain:
“Counterfeit alcoholic beverages are generally made from methyl alcohol, a type of alcohol widely used in the chemical industry and typically obtained by distilling wood chips. Additionally, methyl alcohol can also be obtained by distilling agricultural products, coal, and natural gas. Colorless and volatile, methyl alcohol is also completely miscible with water. Due to its low cost, methyl alcohol is frequently used instead of ethyl alcohol in the production of alcoholic beverages.
It greatly affects human health
In addition to methyl alcohol, various unhealthy kits, flavors, and dyes are also used in counterfeit alcoholic beverages. With this trick, the production of counterfeit beverages that taste similar to real ones is possible. These beverages are sold illegally at low prices and greatly affect human health.”
What are the risks of counterfeit alcohol to human health?
Lecturer Öznur Eyilcim stated that methyl alcohol is the most commonly used type of alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol in the production of counterfeit alcohol, concluding her remarks as follows:
“The distinction between ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol can only be determined by experts under laboratory conditions. The fact that ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol have the same color and smell also makes it difficult to differentiate them.
Methyl alcohol, preferred due to its lower cost and cheapness, leads to many diseases, including various poisonings, and even death. Experts also state that the damages caused by counterfeit alcohol vary depending on the amount consumed. These beverages particularly damage the nervous system. They are also known to have effects such as impaired vision or complete vision loss, unconscious movements, loss of mobility, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.”