MOSCOW - The Russian health and consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor could ban hard liquor imports from Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia over methanol poisoning incidents.
“Imports could be banned from all three countries,” Rospotrebnadzor chief Gennady Onishchenko told Interfax.
“We will give the relevant recommendations on Friday, Sept. 21, to our distributors and customs services,” he said.
Onishchenko also said that Rospotrebnadzor has sent an inquiry to the
EU Health and Consumer Protection Directorate General requesting
explanations about the cause of the poisoning cases and measures being
taken to amend the situation.
Twenty-two people died of methanol poisoning after drinking alcohol
in the Czech Republic, six in Slovakia and four in Poland, he said,
citing preliminary reports.
The official list of over 20 degrees alcoholic beverages imported
from the Czech Republic includes the Becherovka herbal bitters, the
Absinth Boulevard bitters, Prazska Vodka and Shaker Black Coffee, Shaker
Curacao Blue and Shaker Red Strawberry liquors, Rospotrebnadzor said on
its website.
The official list of Polish alcohol imports includes 38.5% Polugar
No.1 and Polugar No.2, 40% Bread Wine No.1 and Bread Wine No.2,. Bols
Premium Vodka and Lubuski gin.
Alcohol imports from Poland are larger than from the Czech Republic, Onishchenko said.
On September 17, 2012 Rospotrebnadzor urged Russian citizens now in
Europe not to drink hard liquors made in the Czech Republic and Poland
after alcohol poisoning cases were reported.
