Toxic Cocktails Abroad: Methanol Poisoning Risks Soar for Travelers

As of 2025-11-15T06:28:09+00:00, travel experts are sounding the alarm about the growing threat of methanol poisoning for travelers. Methanol, a clear, flammable liquid found in products like paint and antifreeze, is sometimes illegally added to alcoholic drinks and cocktails in bars abroad to reduce costs. This practice can be extremely dangerous, as even tiny quantities of methanol can cause permanent blindness, organ failure, and death within 48 hours.

According to Alicia Hempsted, a travel insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, early symptoms of methanol poisoning include vomiting, drowsiness, and abdominal pain, which can quickly escalate to vertigo, difficulty breathing, and blurred vision. Doctors Without Borders reports that thousands of people are poisoned by methanol annually, with fatality rates ranging from 20% to 40%.

In light of these alarming statistics, the Foreign Office has recently added eight more countries to its list of methanol warnings, bringing the total to 16 countries where British nationals have been affected. Travelers are now being urged to take extra precautions, such as drinking only from sealed bottles and never leaving beverages unattended. Experts also recommend obtaining comprehensive travel insurance to cover any potential medical emergencies.