Is It Safe To Drink Alcohol In The Dominican Republic? (Solved and Explained)
Although there have been some serious cases of adulterated alcohol in the Dominican Republic lately, alcohol consumption in the Dominican Republic is quite safe when purchased in regulated and reputable commercial establishments.
For as long as I can remember, alcoholic beverages have been part of the festive tradition of the Dominican Republic.
Since I don’t like to drink alcohol, I can’t say how good the Dominican Republic’s alcohol is, but I do know that its reputation is very good.
The fundamental problem that has originated in terms of insecurity with the consumption of alcohol in the Dominican Republic, has been basically due to the emergence of some “backyard manufacturers”.
These “backyard manufacturers” use procedures and substances that are very harmful to health, but this type of alcohol is not sold in commercial establishments and can only be acquired clandestinely.
That is why it is totally safe to purchase alcohol from recognized brands in the country and regulated commercial establishments.
Contents
Which sites in the Dominican Republic have been affected by adulterated alcohol?
Adulterated alcohol has been seen more than anywhere else in some sectors of Santo Domingo, which is the capital of the Dominican Republic, as well as in some towns in the interior of the country.
The areas where cases have been identified are the National District, Santo Domingo East and West, Piedra Blanca, Villa González, Bisonó, Moca, Licey al Medio, Imbert Puerto Plata, Haina, Santiago, Esperanza, Bonao and Los Alcarrizos.
What type of harmful toxic substance is used in adulterated alcohol?
The substance used in the adulterated alcohol that has been the cause of all the problems is methanol.
Methanol is non-drinking methyl alcohol, which is used in industry as a solvent for paints and other industrial uses, but when consumed by the person it is almost instantly fatal and fatal to health and life.
Which alcoholic drinks in the Dominican Republic contain methanol?
Cleren, which is one of the most widely sold clandestine beverages, contains methanol.
In addition to cleren, methanol has been found in other drinks, including a rum of the Kapicúa brand, which was sold in the northern cities of the country, as well as a fruit mojito sold in the streets of Haina, on the outskirts of the capital, under the brand name Monday’s.
How to know if rum is adulterated in the Dominican Republic?
Different defense mechanisms have been established to avoid adulteration of the original beverages.
For example, Brugal, which is one of the most recognized brands in the country, when you uncork a bottle of Brugal, the first thing that will appear is a ring that was not visible before, it can be white or gold.
When you see that ring and try to close the bottle again, you will never be able to close it and hide it.
Alcoholic beverages should only be purchased in established, duly identified and authorized places. Before being consumed, it is necessary to check that the cap is sealed, the contents are clear and do not present sediments or cloudiness.
Alcoholic beverages should have precautionary legends such as: “Abuse of this product is harmful to health”, “consumption by pregnant women is prohibited”, “if you drink, do not drive” and “sale to minors is prohibited”.
Adulterated beverages can also be identified by performing the following steps:
- Check the beverage container, which should correspond with the brand and type of beverage listed on the label.
- Verify that the lid of the container is completely closed and that the contents of the container are not leaking.
- In the case of mass-produced beverages, check that the government seal of quality is properly affixed.
- To identify adulterated drinks, use your mouth: in case you have already consumed a specific product before, you can taste for flavor variations.
- If you buy drinks in bars or nightclubs, the bottle should be opened in the presence of the consumer (check packaging and safety elements beforehand).
“Shielding” of tourist resorts
This type of adulterated drink is hardly used in some low-income areas of the district and some villages.
However, measures have been taken to prevent this type of drink from reaching places considered as tourist spots in the country.
Although no reputable hotel or commerce uses it, it is necessary to avoid that these drinks are totally out of circulation in the streets.
Authorities reported that they have redoubled their vigilance in the Dominican Republic’s tourist destinations to prevent the arrival of clandestine alcoholic beverages, which may contain methanol, non-drinkable alcohol harmful to health.
The Government’s Tourism Cabinet held on Wednesday a second meeting on the matter, in which measures were adopted to “continue protecting” the industry, which generates more than 500,000 jobs, according to Tourism Minister David Collado.
Collado informed in a press release that so far there are no reports of sales of adulterated beverages in the tourist poles and affirmed that “they will be implacable” against those who try to do so.
What are the symptoms of methanol ingestion?
Among the symptoms found when ingesting alcohol with methanol are weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, disorientation and visual alteration with photophobia, blurred vision, bilateral mydriasis not reactive to light, and occasional blindness.
In the third phase of intoxication, neuronal lesions may occur, with retinal necrosis, hypotension, deep coma, apnea, and convulsions, symptoms that produced the fatalities.
Conclusion and recommendations
I know a very close person who used to drink this type of clandestine alcohol (cleren), fortunately, nothing happened to this person.
This alcohol has been distributed in a clandestine way among poor sectors because it is very cheap, even sold at retail.
It is manufactured without any kind of license and with recycled containers, which is totally irregular.
The way to avoid this alcohol is very simple, do not drink alcohol of unknown origin in the street.
