Case example 10: United Republic of Tanzania

“A study that collected and analysed 15 homemade but commercially available alcoholic beverages in Dar es Salaam found that ethanol concentrations of the brewed samples ranged from 2.2 to 8.5% w/v whilst the two distilled samples contained 24.2% and 29.3% ethanol w/v. Aflatoxin B1 was found in nine brewed beverages, suggesting the use of contaminated grains or fruit for their production. The amount of zinc in four samples was double the World Health Organization recommended maximum for drinking water (5 mg/litre). One brewed beverage contained toxic amounts of manganese (12.8 mg/litre). Both distilled spirits were rich in fusel alcohols and one was fortified by caffeine. The results suggested that impurities and contaminants possibly associated with severe health risks, including carcinogens, are often found in traditional alcoholic beverages. Continuous daily drinking of these beverages is certain to increase health risks.

Source: Nikander et al. (1991)”

Source & © WHO  Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004, p.21