Methamphetamine-laced 7Up soft drinks that somehow made their way onto shelves in Mexico have caused one death and sickened several more.
The manufacturers of the drink have also been notified of the incident. More than 77,000 individual containers of 7Up have been secured at a Mexican plant belonging to PepsiCo.
Because of this recent incident, U.S. health experts are warning travelers planning to go to Mexico to pay extra attention and be “vigilant” during travel.
“It is important to check that the seal for any food and drink consumed is still intact and show no signs of tampering,” said Dr. Daniel Brooks, Banner Poison and Drug Information Center medical director.
“If you notice any difference in color, taste or smell, throw it out, Brooks warned.
According to Banner Health, side effects from soft drink contamination can happen suddenly and could cause “life-threatening illness.”
Symptoms from the soft drink contamination may include:
Irritation of, or abnormal taste in, the mouth our throat Burning to the esophagus or abdomen Nausea or vomiting Difficulty breathing Fast or irregular heart beat
“None of the 7Up products sold in the U.S. are affected by the issue being reported in Mexico,” Barnes said. “Dr Pepper Snapple owns and licenses the 7Up brand only in the U.S. and its territories. We do not market, sell, or distribute the brand internationally.”
The recent incident involving meth-laced 7Up comes just months after the U.S. State Department warned travelers to Mexico about reports of tainted alcohol at certain Mexican resort locations. The warning comes after a 20-year-old college student from Wisconsin was found dead after consuming alcohol on a family trip to Playa Del Carmen earlier in 2017.
In January, Abbey Conner, 20, was having drinks with her brother at the all-inclusive Iberostar Hotel and Resort Paraiso Del Mar just south of Playa del Carmen in Mexico when both of them blacked out. They were later found face-down in the resort’s pool. The brother survived.
People who consume drinks or food suspected to have been contaminated in any manner should immediately contact the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222.
Friends Read Free