The governor of the Ulyanovsk region, Alexei Russkikh, reported that some entrepreneurs began hiding the drink known as Mr. Reports on Ulpressa. Regional officials say the aim is to prevent the hazardous beverage from being resold and to protect the public from toxic methyl alcohol. In response, Russkikh instructed the head of the My Business regional center, Ruslan Gainetdinov, to take decisive steps to stop such schemes and shut down illicit distribution channels.
Throughout a single day, inspectors examined 444 alcohol outlets across the region. During those inspections, 216 barrels of 30 liters each, labeled Mister Cider, were seized from 34 stores. Laboratory tests of alcohol samples indicated methanol content exceeding safety limits. The use of Mr. Cider has already resulted in the death of 16 people, with more than 50 individuals poisoned. These figures highlight the severe danger posed by counterfeit and surrogate alcohol products and the urgent need for stricter controls on alcohol supply chains.
Former Russian Academy of Sciences Academician Gennady Onishchenko commented to Gazeta.ru that mandatory coloring of methanol before delivery to warehouses is unlikely to curb the distribution of surrogate alcohol. He argued that visual cues alone do not effectively deter illegal suppliers or protect consumers who might be misled by appearance. The situation underscores how complex the problem remains, involving supply networks, consumer demand, and regulatory enforcement. [Gazeta.ru]