The UK Foreign Office has ramped up its warnings to international travelers after adding 11 more countries to its methanol poisoning risk list, underscoring a growing global health concern that has already claimed lives and left families devastated. On November 18, 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice, now cautioning visitors to Bangladesh, India, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and Rwanda about the dangers lurking in tainted alcoholic drinks. The move follows a "global increase in the number of reported cases" of methanol poisoning, according to the Foreign Office, and comes just weeks after several other countries—Ecuador, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, and Uganda—were similarly flagged in October.
Methanol, sometimes called wood alcohol, is a clear, colorless, and highly toxic industrial compound found in products like antifreeze, windscreen washer fluid, fuel, and paint thinners. Unlike ethanol—the type of alcohol found in beer, wine, and spirits—methanol is not meant for human consumption. But in certain parts of the world, unscrupulous producers illegally mix methanol into spirit-based drinks and cocktails to cut costs or boost potency. Because methanol is tasteless and odorless, drinkers can’t detect its presence, making it a silent and deadly threat.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), even small amounts of methanol are “dangerous” and can have catastrophic consequences, including blindness or death. The risk is heightened for travelers who may be unfamiliar with local customs or the prevalence of counterfeit alcohol. As the BBC reports, the Foreign Office’s campaign aims to help people recognize the symptoms of methanol poisoning and understand how to reduce the risks.
The tragic consequences of methanol poisoning were thrust into the spotlight in 2024 when six tourists died in Laos after consuming contaminated alcohol. Among them was Simone White, a London-based lawyer who died less than three weeks after her 28th birthday. White had been enjoying shots at a hostel bar while on holiday with a friend. Her family’s representative, Amanda Dennis, told the BBC, “The risk of methanol poisoning is just not known by many backpackers and holidaymakers travelling to south-east Asia. The advice needs to be much harder, it needs to be much more obvious, and it needs to be the truth, which is, ‘you do not drink spirits, if you do, you are playing Russian roulette’.” Dennis emphasized that Simone was “intelligent” and “very well travelled,” underscoring that “if it can happen to her, it can happen to anybody.”
The symptoms of methanol poisoning can be deceiving, often mimicking regular alcohol intoxication at first. The Foreign Office outlines early warning signs such as vomiting, poor judgement, loss of balance, and drowsiness—symptoms many travelers might dismiss after a night out. However, the real danger can emerge between 12 and 48 hours after drinking. According to government guidance, more severe symptoms may include abdominal pain, vertigo, hyperventilation, breathlessness, blurred vision, and in the worst cases, blindness, coma, or convulsions.
Vision problems are a particularly ominous sign. The FCDO warns that methanol poisoning can cause blurry vision, difficulty looking at bright lights, and “snowfield vision” (like the static on an old television), as well as tunnel vision. In some tragic instances, it leads to complete blindness. If any of these symptoms appear, the advice is unequivocal: seek urgent medical attention. “If you or someone you are travelling with has any of these symptoms, seek urgent medical attention,” states the Foreign Office guidance.
Time is of the essence when it comes to treatment. The Foreign Office explains that doctors may administer an antidote, such as ethanol or a drug called fomepizole, to block methanol’s toxic effects. Dialysis may also be required to flush the methanol from the body and limit organ damage. Treatment is most effective within 10 to 30 hours of ingestion, making swift action critical. Delays can mean the difference between life and death—or permanent disability.
Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer has been vocal in his advice to travelers, telling BBC News, “If you’re drinking spirits overseas, stick to trusted places and avoid homemade alcohol or free shots. If something feels off, like a hangover that’s way worse than normal or vision problems—get medical help fast.” His message is echoed across official travel advice platforms, urging travelers to avoid homemade or street-side alcohol, stick to licensed venues, check bottles for authenticity, and be wary of free drinks.
For those planning trips to any of the flagged countries, the Foreign Office strongly recommends purchasing comprehensive travel insurance with adequate medical coverage. As highlighted by several news outlets, traveling without the right insurance can lead to enormous medical bills if an emergency arises. A basic policy may not cover the advanced treatments required for methanol poisoning, so travelers are urged to review their coverage carefully before departure.
The full list of countries now identified as posing a risk of methanol poisoning reads like a global travel directory: Brazil, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, and Vietnam. The breadth of the list reflects the widespread nature of the problem and the challenge faced by authorities in curbing the illegal trade and adulteration of alcoholic beverages.
Despite the dangers, the Foreign Office acknowledges that it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of methanol poisoning when drinking alcohol abroad. However, by raising awareness and providing practical guidance, officials hope to save lives and prevent tragedies like the one that claimed Simone White and so many others. As Amanda Dennis poignantly observed, “She wasn’t a one-off, one-time backpacker. She’d been everywhere, she’d been all over the world. If it can happen to her, it can happen to anybody.”
For travelers, the message is clear: vigilance, caution, and swift action can make all the difference when it comes to methanol poisoning. While the lure of adventure and local nightlife remains strong, the risks posed by tainted alcohol demand a new level of awareness. With the Foreign Office’s updated guidance and ongoing campaign, British travelers—and indeed, anyone venturing abroad—are better equipped to recognize the dangers and protect themselves from this invisible threat.
