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Customs smashes "Zhiwen Pharmacy" to detect methanol-to-alcohol only 0.1% ethanol can be fatal

2020-02-21T16:11:45.679Z


The Wuliang Pharmacy Group sold methanol-based disinfectant alcohol at 20 branches, and seven people were arrested by the customs. The pharmacy group involved in the case is "Zhiwen Pharmacy". The official website writes "Authentic Traders, Guarantee of Confidence", but today it was revealed by the customs that it sold 98 yuan per bottle and sold fake alcohol with false claims. The bottle claimed to contain 75% ethanol. , But the fact is made from methanol. Methanol is toxic and harmful to the human body. Inadvertent consumption can cause cancer, poisoning, and even death. Customs today (21st) searched the group's office and its 20 branches, seized 174 related disinfectant alcohol and arrested 7 people.


Burst

Written by: Yang Wanting

2020-02-21 22:50

Last updated: 2020-02-22 00:08

The Wuliang Pharmacy Group sold methanol-based disinfectant alcohol at 20 branches, and seven people were arrested by the customs. The pharmacy group involved in the case is "Zhiwen Pharmacy". The official website writes "Authentic Traders, Guarantee of Confidence", but today it was revealed by the customs that it sold 98 yuan per bottle and sold fake alcohol with false claims. The bottle claimed to contain 75% ethanol. , But the fact is made from methanol. Methanol is toxic and harmful to the human body. Inadvertent consumption can cause cancer, poisoning, and even death. Customs today (21st) searched the group's office and its 20 branches, seized 174 related disinfectant alcohol and arrested 7 people.

Customs arrested seven people.

The pharmacy group involved in the case is "Zhiwen Pharmacy". According to its official website, the group opened in July 2002 with branches in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Some of the branches are registered pharmacies of the Hong Kong Government and members of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Pharmacy Chamber of Commerce. Participated in the "Genuine Genuine Commitment" program of the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department. The official website has the "Confidence Assurance" of the members of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Pharmacy General Chamber of Commerce, and it is marked as "Authentic Goods Firm". The reporter tried to call the customer service hotline on the official website, but no one answered.

The Customs received an earlier report that a pharmacy in Tuen Mun sold suspected sterilized alcohol with false claims. Customs officers immediately went to the pharmacy for a trial purchase. The bottle of the sterilized alcohol contained 75% ethanol. Testing by the government laboratory confirmed that the alcohol content of the disinfectant alcohol was less than 0.1 percent, and the methanol content was more than 52 percent. Based on the test report, the Customs immediately deployed today's operation, searched the group's offices in Tuen Mun and 20 branches throughout Hong Kong, seized 174 sterilized alcohol and arrested 7 people. The product is contained in a liter plastic bottle with a retail price of 98 yuan. The total amount of goods seized by the customs is only over 17,000 yuan. The Customs and Excise Department also inspected 236 retail outlets in Hong Kong, but found no products of the same type for sale.

The sterilized alcohol is marked "75% Alcohol", one liter per bottle.

Ma Guangzu, chief trade control officer of the Customs Commodity Description Investigation Section, said that the products will be tested later to verify their safety, and the place of origin has not been confirmed for the time being. The case will be further investigated. The customs urges the public to stop using this disinfectant alcohol immediately. If there is a pharmacy selling this disinfectant alcohol, it should be removed immediately.

Methanol is an organic solution and is mainly used to make other chemicals or plastic materials, and even automobile fuel. Methanol is toxic and harmful to the human body. It can cause blindness if inadvertently taken. Ma Guangzu reminded that methanol itself has no odor, while ethanol has an alcoholic smell. The public buys disinfected alcohol. If they open it, they should be careful. When buying hand lotion, the public can pay attention to whether the bottle body is correctly labeled, whether there is a production date or an expiration date, and visit reputable stores. If you have any questions, you should check in detail. In addition, as alcohol is a flammable liquid, keep it away from fire and use it in accordance with the rules of use and avoid contact with children.

Today ’s operation is part of the “Guardian” operation. The “Guardian” operation began on January 27 this year and it is now 26 days. The Customs has sent over 2,300 customs officers to inspect more than 15,000 retail stores in Hong Kong to ensure the market. The anti-epidemic products sold on the site comply with the product description regulations and consumer product safety regulations. The "guardian" operation will continue, and the customs will strengthen law enforcement to prevent illegal businessmen from engaging in illegal activities.

The Centre for Health Protection also reminded earlier that industrial alcohol contains the impurity methanol, which can enter the body through the skin and cause poisoning. Hand rub made with industrial alcohol can cause nausea and vomiting, general pain, and abnormal liver function. It can be ingested through the digestive tract, respiratory tract, or skin, causing poisoning, which can lead to severe blindness and death.

Customs Wuhan Pneumonia

Source: hk1

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