As Christmas parties and family gatherings ramp up across the Philippines, the Food and Drug Administration has issued an urgent safety alert about dangerous, unregistered alcoholic beverages circulating in the market.
Serious Health Risks Identified
The FDA, through its Advisory 2025-1478 released on November 29, 2025, emphasized that counterfeit and adulterated liquors pose significant health threats to consumers. Methanol poisoning stands as the most severe risk, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, and even death.
"We warn you against the circulation of unregistered, adulterated, or counterfeit alcoholic beverages," stated the regulatory agency in their official communication. The timing of this warning comes as Filipinos traditionally increase their consumption of alcoholic drinks during holiday celebrations and family reunions.
How to Identify Safe Products
The FDA provided clear guidelines for consumers to protect themselves from potentially lethal beverages. Purchasing only from legitimate and trusted establishments that source products from authorized distributors or manufacturers is the first line of defense.
Consumers should thoroughly examine product labels and packaging before making purchases. Legitimate products must clearly display:
- Brand name and product name
- Manufacturer or distributor details
- Alcohol content percentage
The agency specifically warned against products sold without proper labels, unusually low-priced items, or those showing signs of tampering.
Verification Process for Consumers
To ensure complete safety, the FDA recommends that all consumers verify product registration through the official FDA Verification Portal at https://verification.fda.gov.ph. This free online tool allows anyone to confirm whether an alcoholic beverage has proper FDA registration.
"Ensure a safe celebration for everyone this holiday season, purchase and consume FDA-registered products only," the FDA emphasized in their advisory. This precaution becomes particularly crucial during the busy Christmas season when counterfeit products often infiltrate the market.
The regulatory body reminded the public that vigilance when purchasing and consuming alcoholic beverages could prevent serious health consequences and potentially save lives during what should be a joyful celebration period.
