The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has sought to clear the air regarding reports linking Kenya to a list of countries at risk of methanol poisoning from counterfeit alcoholic beverages.
In a statement released to the media, KEBS assured Kenyans that methanol circulating within the country is strictly for industrial use and is not fit for human consumption.
This clarification follows the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) expanding its methanol poisoning warning to include Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Japan, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Russia.
“The attention of the Kenya Bureau of Standards has been drawn to media reports on a directive that includes Kenya in a list of eight countries with the risk of methanol poisoning,” read part of the KEBS statement.
KEBS Assures Public on Methanol Safety
The Bureau stated that all methanol in Kenya is denatured with denatonium benzoate, described as “the bitterest chemical compound, making its taste extremely bitter for human ingestion.”
KEBS further explained that the denaturation process ensures that methanol cannot be mistaken for alcoholic beverages.
“All methanol in the country is denatured by adding the bitterest chemical called denatonium benzoate,” the statement read, adding that this makes methanol found in Kenya unsuitable for drinking.
Compliance with National Standards
According to the statement, all methanol imported or manufactured locally must comply with standards developed by the Industrial Solvents and Chemical Technical Committee.
These include:
- KS 2471:2013 – Methanol for industrial use – specifications
- KS 2582-1:2014 – Safety of chemical products – code of practice – part 1: safety of methanol
- KS 2583:2014 – Denatonium benzoate in alcohols – test method
- KS 2584:2018 – Transport of dangerous goods – operational requirements for road vehicles
“All grades of methanol except those meant for laboratory use shall be denatured with denatonium benzoate to prevent oral intake by vulnerable consumers,” KEBS stated, citing KS 2582-1:2014, section 4.1.
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The Bureau added that before approval for use, methanol must meet all the outlined specifications and pass compliance checks.
“The above standards are used in issuing product certification marks of quality to methanol as well as checking compliance before methanol is approved for intended use,” KEBS noted, emphasising that safety and compliance remain top priorities.
Preventing Misuse and Protecting Public Health
To prevent potential abuse, KEBS highlighted that denatured methanol is subjected to continuous monitoring to ensure adherence to safety standards.
“When tested in accordance with KS 2583, all grades of methanol except the grades meant for laboratory use shall contain denatonium benzoate denaturant,” they clarified.
Additionally, KEBS explained that denaturation involves altering a chemical’s characteristics by adding another compound, in this case, denatonium benzoate, making the substance unsuitable for ingestion.
“Denatonium benzoate is the bitterest chemical compound and cannot be swallowed due to its bitterness, even in small quantities,” KEBS said.
In conclusion, KEBS clarified that methanol used in Kenya is solely intended for industrial applications and that robust systems are in place to ensure no diversion into counterfeit alcoholic drinks.
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The Bureau reassured Kenyans that all certified methanol meets the required safety standards, thereby posing no risk to public health.
“KEBS continues to monitor compliance to safeguard consumers and protect lives,” the statement concluded.
UK’s Warning on Methanol
The United Kingdom’s FCDO, on October 21, issued a warning to Nigeria, Kenya, and six other countries following a surge in methanol poisoning cases linked to counterfeit alcoholic drinks.
“The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has expanded methanol poisoning warnings to cover eight additional countries visited by Brits where incidents have been recorded,” read the FCDO statement.
The department said that the update followed engagement with Parliamentarians, industry bodies, and those affected by methanol poisoning overseas.
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