MoH receives 14 new toxic alcohol poisoning cases

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- A total of 14 new cases of toxic alcohol poisoning have been reported in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Perak up till noon today, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Its director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said, as of noon, MOH received seven complaints from Selangor, two from Kuala Lumpur and five from Perak, bringing the total to 68 cases recorded since last Monday.

“The total number of deaths is 21 cases, namely 16 in Selangor, three in Kuala Lumpur and two in Perak," he said in a statement.

Since last Monday, 21 people comprising foreigners and locals have died and dozens more treated in hospitals around the Klang Valley and Perak due to toxic alcohol poisoning.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said the MOH through the Food Quality and Safety Division was carrying out ongoing enforcement nationwide.

So far, he said 68 premises selling liquor were checked in which 647 bottles of alcoholic drinks of various brands, including those that did not comply with the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 were seized.

 “Section 13 of the Food Act 1983 states that any person who prepares or sells any food that has in or upon it any substance which is poisonous, harmful or otherwise injurious to health, commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding RM100,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both.

"The MOH advises the public not to drink any alcoholic drinks that are feared to be contaminated with methanol,” he added.

-- BERNAMA