During the holidays and the Cali Fair in its 68th version, the Ministry of Health gives some key recommendations for citizens to avoid poisoning due to adulterated alcohol, Foodborne Diseases-ETA and the mixture of alcohol with hydration and oral rehydration serums.
According to the Individual Registry of Health Services Provision-RIPS, so far this year, people who use health services according to the type of substance, in third place is alcoholic beverages, and acute poisoning is the second cause.
Although so far there have been no cases of poisoning due to adulterated liquor in the District, it is important to follow the recommendations of the National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance-INVIMA.
Be wary of alcoholic beverages with lower prices compared to those regularly offered on the market, as it may be fraudulent or adulterated liquor.
Remember the importance of ensuring the integrity of the seals and scanning the QR code that the bottle must have.
Make sure labels have the following information: name and address of manufacturer and importer; net content; alcohol level and declaration of health legends (‘Excess alcohol is harmful to health’ and ‘Prohibit the sale of intoxicating beverages to minors’).
If you are going to consume liquor in an establishment, demand that the bottle be opened in your presence.
Be suspicious of alcoholic beverages with strange characteristics, cloudy appearance, suspended solids, or uncharacteristic flavors or odors. It is suggested to rotate the bottle to confirm the appearance of the liquid.
Avoid cocktails that combine two or more strong drinks and, if possible, have only one type of drink; This will make it easier to know how much alcohol has been consumed.
Once the alcoholic beverage has been consumed, destroy the label.
If you experience symptoms such as double vision, headache and dizziness when consuming any type of liquor, avoid self-medication and go immediately to the health services center and inform the people with whom you shared the drink.
Hydration and oral rehydration serums should not be mixed with liquor:
In the last few hours, INVIMA has called for the responsible, authorized and correct consumption of oral hydration and rehydration serums, remembering that these are medications sold without a medical formula.
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These products are prescribed for fluid and electrolyte replacement in dehydration situations. Their formulation responds to specific parameters and technical characteristics, so they must be used according to the approved indication in their health record.
Excessive use can cause hypernatremia (elevated sodium in the blood) and is contraindicated in people with heart failure, kidney failure, hypertension, edema or who are under treatment with medications that retain sodium, such as corticosteroids.
These serums are not indicated as general-purpose hydrating drinks, nor as remedies for headaches, hangovers, mood or energy restoration. As they are medications, they should not be mixed or consumed at the same time with alcoholic beverages, nor used outside of their therapeutic context. Likewise, it is recommended to avoid combining it with other over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers, without proper medical supervision.
INVIMA emphasizes that, in accordance with health regulations, the sale and distribution of oral hydration and rehydration serums is prohibited in bars, gastrobars, nightclubs, music festivals and cultural or sporting events. Its marketing in these spaces can lead the consumer to mistakenly believe that it is a hydrating drink. Furthermore, these places do not guarantee the adequate storage and conservation conditions required for medicines, which may compromise their quality, safety and effectiveness.
How to avoid food poisoning
During this time, food poisoning may increase due to excessive consumption of certain products or poor handling. Therefore, when purchasing food for celebrations, keep the following in mind:
Check very well the labeling, the registration of the National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance-INVIMA and the expiration date.
Meat, dairy and seafood should always be refrigerated.
In the home refrigerator, try to separate cooked products from raw products to avoid cross contamination.
Check that the place where you are going to purchase consumer products has the respective favorable health concept, issued by the Ministry of Health.
The District Administration, under the leadership of Mayor Alejandro Eder, works in coordination with the other agencies, visiting establishments, verifying that they are complying with the requirements, guaranteeing that citizens and tourists enjoy the end-of-year festivities safely, avoiding poisoning or any health risk.
In addition, citizens can report any irregularity through line 123.