Study Warns About High Methanol, Fake Labels on Yaounde’s Alcoholic Drinks

By Tata Mbunwe

A new study conducted by researchers from Centre Pasteur, University of Yaounde 1, and the Institute of Agricultural Research has exposed alarming levels of methanol and fake labels in alcoholic beverages sold at Yaounde’s Mokolo Market, one of Central Africa’s largest marketplaces.

The research, published on September 12, 2925, in the Journal of Food Processing & Beverages, warns of potential public health risks and urges for regulatory oversight in Cameroon’s beverage industry.

From July to November 2018 and June to October 2023, the researchers collected 106 samples of wines, spirits, and traditional beverages from Mokolo Market in Yaounde, representing 80 percent of the most popular brands identified through vendor surveys.

The samples included 60 spirit brands, 36 wine brands, and 10 types of traditional beverages, such as palm wine and odontol.

The analysis showed clear variability in methanol content and significant lapses in labeling compliance.

Methanol levels in some whiskey samples reached concentrations as high as 138.2 milligrams per liter, exceeding the European Union’s recommended safety limit of 50 mg/L.

While these levels remained below the acute toxicity threshold of 2000 mg/L, they suggest risks from uncontrolled distillation or potential adulteration, the research asserted.

Traditional beverages like palm wine and odontol had lower methanol levels (14.5–40.3 mg/L), but most exceeded Nigeria’s NAFDAC limit of 5 mg/L for traditional drinks.

Cameroon however lacks regulation for traditional drinks, all of which contained no labels, the study revealed.

Nearly half of red wine samples (47.4 percent) contained methanol above 100 mg/L, with a peak of 206.5 mg/L, though all complied with the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) limits (500 mg/L for red wines, 250 mg/L for white wines).

Labeling issues further compounded concerns.

About 13.5 percent of beverages showed discrepancies between actual and declared alcohol content, while 16 percent, primarily traditional drinks, lacked any alcohol labeling.

Also, 15 percent of spirits and 39 percent of wines were missing batch numbers, and some producers used identical batch numbers across different brands, raising suspicions of fraud or poor quality control.

The researchers warned that chronic consumption of these beverages risk causing damage to the central nervous system and eyesight.

The researchers particularly pointed to the absence of specific national standards for methanol content in Cameroon as the reason such practices persist.

The study calls for Cameroon to establish national regulations on methanol content, enforce stricter labeling standards, and launch public awareness campaigns to protect consumers.

With Mokolo Market being a major hub for both local and regional trade, these findings signal a need for systematic monitoring to safeguard public health and ensure compliance with international standards.