Rio continues operation against the sale of adulterated drinks

Beverages without origin, with inadequate identification or illegible labeling were seized or destroyed. Photo: Fernanda Doné / IVISA-Rio

The Municipal Health Surveillance Institute (Ivisa-Rio) continued inspections of establishments selling alcoholic beverages in the city of Rio this Monday, October 6th, with support from the Municipal Secretariat of Public Order (Seop). The operation has already visited more than 180 establishments, including bars, restaurants, bakeries, and liquor stores, among others, in the neighborhoods of Campo Grande, Senador Vasconcelos, Inhoaíba, Madureira, Jardim América, Bangu, Gardênia Azul, Barra da Tijuca, Gávea, Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana, Botafogo, Flamengo, Largo do Machado, Catete, Lapa, Centro, and Tijuca, and will continue throughout the week. To date, there have been no reported cases of methanol poisoning in the city of Rio.

Actions include checking documentation, including product invoices, and verifying the hygiene and sanitary conditions of establishments, investigating the origin of beverages, and collecting samples for laboratory analysis. In addition to action at points of sale, the Municipal Health Department issued an alert to the public and private health care system to immediately report cases of poisoning.

Among the establishments visited since last Thursday, October 2nd, eight were closed in whole or in part due to poor cleanliness, sanitary non-compliance, and products unfit for consumption. Violation notices were issued for beverages, food, and other items without proper identification, unsatisfactory hygiene conditions, and administrative non-compliance. More than 100 liters of cachaça and approximately 180 bottles of beverages without origin, with inadequate identification, or illegible labeling were seized or destroyed, as well as 50 liters of expired draft beer.