A surge in methanol poisoning from adulterated alcohol has caused fear and changes in drinking habits in Sao Paulo, one death has been confirmed, and seven other cases are under investigation in Brazil.

Friday night was anything but typical at a bar near Paulista Avenue, one of Sao Paulo’s busiest areas and a popular destination for tourists.

Nearly every table was ordering beer, wine or draft beer but no cocktails.

Edilson Trindade, the manager who has worked at the bar since 2018, told The Associated Press the establishment usually sells about 80 caipirinhas — Brazil’s national cocktail made with cachaça, lime, sugar and ice — each night.

Last week, he didn’t sell a single one.

No other cocktails were ordered, either.

“We’re practically not selling anything that contains spirits. Orders for caipirinhas, gin, whiskey, all of that have dropped. On the other hand, beer, draft beer, and wine sales have gone up, thank God," said Trindade.

Beer and wine so far have not been linked to adulteration, still, concern lingers among customers.

“It’s impossible not to be scared, right? There are so many reports of people losing their eyesight, being hospitalized, even dying. It’s very tense,” said Gustavo Cândido.

The Health Ministry said Friday it had confirmed 11 cases tied to alcoholic beverages and was investigating 102 suspected cases.

One death was confirmed through lab tests in Sao Paulo, with eleven others under investigation.

Health officials say illegal distributors have been cutting costs by lacing alcohol with methanol, a toxic industrial solvent, triggering a public health emergency and a full-scale criminal investigation.

The Sao Paulo Civil Police is leading an inquiry, targeting clandestine supply chains and distributors operating without receipts.

“We’ve already identified cases of this substance (methanol) being used in other states, where people have fallen ill. That’s a major concern for us here in Sao Paulo. We’re working to trace where this was produced and what kind of contamination we’re dealing with.” said Dr. Artur Dian, Chief of the Sao Paulo State Police.

The Brazilian Association of Distilled Beverages said the illicit alcohol market is on the rise.

A study by Euromonitor, commissioned by the association, found that adulterated beverages make up 28% of Brazil’s market and are sold at prices 35% lower than legitimate products.

AP Video shot by Maycron Abade

Produced by Thiago Mostazo