What to do if you drink fake wine
Recently, health problems caused by counterfeit alcohol have once again become a hot topic. Counterfeit wine is not only harmful to health, but may even be life-threatening in severe cases. In order to help everyone better deal with such situations, this article will conduct a structured analysis on the hazards of counterfeit wine, identification methods, emergency measures and prevention suggestions, and provide practical data reference.
1. The harm and common symptoms of counterfeit wine

Counterfeit wine often contains industrial methanol or other toxic substances, which can cause serious harm to the human body when ingested. The following are common symptoms and hazard levels:
| symptom | Hazard level | Appearance time |
|---|---|---|
| Headache, dizziness | Mild | 30 minutes-2 hours |
| Nausea, vomiting | Moderate | 1-4 hours |
| blurred vision | Severe | 6-24 hours |
| coma, respiratory failure | Extremely severe | more than 24 hours |
2. How to identify fake wine?
The packaging and smell of fake wine may be similar to real wine, but a preliminary judgment can be made through the following methods:
| Identification method | Characteristics of real wine | Characteristics of fake wine |
|---|---|---|
| packaging label | Clear and anti-counterfeiting markings | Fuzzy, no anti-counterfeiting information |
| odor | Pure wine aroma | Pungent or chemical smell |
| Burn test | flame blue | The flame is yellow or green |
3. Emergency measures for drinking fake wine
If you suspect you have consumed counterfeit wine, please take the following steps immediately:
| step | Operating Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1. Stop drinking | Stay away from fake alcohol sources immediately |
| 2. Induce vomiting | After drinking warm water, gently press the base of the tongue to induce vomiting (not allowed for comatose people) |
| 3. Seek medical treatment | Go to the hospital as soon as possible and bring any remaining alcohol samples for testing |
| 4. Replenish moisture | Drink milk or water to dilute toxins |
4. Practical Suggestions on Preventing Counterfeit Wine
To avoid buying fake wine by mistake, please pay attention to the following points:
1. Choose formal channels to purchase, such as large supermarkets or authorized stores.
2. Check the integrity of the packaging and scan the anti-counterfeiting code to verify the authenticity.
3. Avoid buying products whose prices are much lower than the market price.
4. Before drinking, you can reconfirm through simple methods such as combustion tests.
5. Warning on recent hot cases
According to media reports, a mass fake alcohol poisoning incident occurred somewhere in December 2023, resulting in many people being hospitalized. After investigation, it was found that the counterfeit wine involved was blended with industrial methanol and was sold at only 1/3 of the genuine product. Such incidents remind consumers to be more vigilant.
Summary: Counterfeit wine is extremely harmful, and it is crucial to master identification methods and emergency measures. If you find anything suspicious, please report it in time and cooperate with relevant departments in the investigation to jointly maintain a food safety environment.
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