Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Women's deaths caused by high methanol content in wine, lab test confirmed

Women's deaths caused by high methanol content in wine, lab test confirmed

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Three young women died after drinking homemade wine in a rented unit near Aeon Mall in Tonle Bassac commune of Phnom Penh's Chamkarmon district on September 1. POLICE

Women's deaths caused by high methanol content in wine, lab test confirmed

The authorities have confirmed that the deaths of three women on September 1 in Phnom Penh were caused by grape and rice wine which had up to 88 times more methanol in it than the permitted level.

Both the wines, identified as the brand Meas Hong, were consumed by the victims in a rented unit near Aeon Mall in Tonle Bassac commune of Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district on Wednesday.

The General Directorate of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression (CCF) said on September 3 that following reports of their death, its officials went to the scene to collect five wine samples that remained there.

“Laboratory tests confirmed that three out of five samples had high methanol level, ranging between 1.3 and 8.8 per cent, exceeding the permitted level of 0.15 per cent by 13 to 88 times,” the department said.

CCF’s investigation also found that Meas Hong wines were produced in the capital’s Boeung Keng Kang III commune. They have ceased production since the incident.

Content image - Phnom Penh Post

About 576 Meas Hong wine bottles have been confiscated from shops and distribution centres, CCF said, adding that it will continue to search and seize the drinks.

“We call on the public to stop consuming grape wine and rice wine made by Meas Hong immediately in order to stay safe,” the CCF said.

It also urged sellers to stop selling the drinks and turn them over to the authorities to be destroyed.

Heng Mealy, head of the CCF department’s Phnom Penh branch told The Post on September 5 that authorities have temporarily suspended the production and distribution of the traditional wine.

Authorities will summon the producer of the wine for further questioning regarding the cause of the poisoning.

“Our officers are targeting and cooperating with distributors to ask them to clearly point out locations [of wine sellers] so that we can seize wine at the distribution point, such as houses and shops in the Phnom Penh and provinces,” he said.

According to Mealy, authorities were investigating the producer to determine whether the business was registered with any ministry, institution or entity or if it is an illegal wine production facility.

“Well, in about two weeks, we will conduct more research on what the producer has and what the relevant documents the owner has,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans