Manila: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday urged consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing alcoholic beverages as social gatherings are expected to increase during the holiday season. In an advisory, the FDA's Center for Food Regulation and Research cautioned against unregistered, adulterated, or counterfeit alcoholic beverages that may circulate in the market, noting that these products pose serious health risks.

According to Philippines News Agency, the FDA emphasized the importance of purchasing and consuming only FDA-registered products to ensure a safe celebration this holiday season. The agency warned that consuming unregistered alcoholic drinks could lead to methanol poisoning, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, or even death. It reiterated the necessity of checking product authenticity before making a purchase.

Consumers are advised to buy alcoholic beverages only from legitimate and trusted establishments that source products from authorized distributors or manufacturers. The agency encouraged consumers to verify the registration status of alcoholic beverages through the FDA Verification Portal at https://verification.fda.gov.ph.

The FDA stated that it continues to coordinate with law enforcement agencies to monitor and take action against individuals involved in the manufacture, distribution, or sale of unregistered alcoholic products. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious or unregistered items through the appropriate channels.