Last November, a U.S. man, British woman, two Australian women and two Danish nationals traveling in a Laos holiday town died after reports they consumed tainted alcoholic drinks. A well-known issue across Southeast Asia, methanol poisoning in bootleg alcohol now makes global news as international tourists unknowingly consume these drinks.

Colorless and hard to detect, methanol is toxic and can cause critical side effects in consumers, even leading to death. According to Medicins Sans Frontiers, if not treated, consumption of methanol has fatality reports between 20 and 40 percent depending on the concentration of methanol and the amount consumed.

In countries with few regulations on food and alcohol standards, many producers resort to making counterfeit drinks with methanol instead of ethanol, as its cheaper to use.  This makes it difficult for travelers, especially backpackers and young people staying in hostels, to know where to find trustworthy sources.

It’s not just Southeast Asian destinations suffering from these incidents. Fake alcohol deaths are also on the rise in Türkiye due to steep price increases for alcoholic beverages. Some point to higher alcohol taxes under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who opposes drinking.

And in a country where the minimum wage is just $600 per month, bootleggers appeal to people not wanting to pay $37.20 for a one liter bottle of raki (an aniseed-flavored liquor), creating drinks at a much cheaper price but with a riskier cost.

According to CBS, at least 124 people have died in both Ankara and Istanbul in the last six weeks after drinking bootleg alcohol, with dozens more in intensive care.

For travelers heading to these countries soon, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to sacrifice a cocktail or drink. There are some ways to protect yourself when drinking alcohol abroad. According to Interpol, it’s also important to look at the price; if a product is being sold well below its normal price (or doesn’t seem to include normal taxes on liquors), it’s probably fake. Check for poor quality packaging, spelling mistakes and strangely shaped bottles. Look also for the seal on the bottle, contact information and address of the manufacturer, and fake bar codes. Beware of bad smells, too.

If the product contains particles or sediments (or contents have separated in the bottle), the product is likely to have been thinned with tap water. Refuse free drinks (especially spirits and shots); buy alcoholic beverages from licensed shops, bars and reputable hotels only; avoid house-made alcoholic drinks like vodka or local spirits; and be wary of pre-mixed cocktails in touristy areas.

Have you encountered a place selling fake alcohol? Do you have any other tips for travelers to avoid a situation or spot a drink with fake alcohol? Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.