Health Alert: ‘Fake Palm Wine’ Factory Using Cassava, Saccharin, and Cockroaches Busted in Cameroon.
Security operatives have busted an illegal factory in the Ndogssimbi neighborhood of Douala, Cameroon, that was producing and distributing counterfeit palm wine under dangerously unhygienic conditions.
The factory’s alleged recipe is a far cry from the natural sap of palm trees. According to reports and images circulating online, the concoction was made by fermenting cassava in water, then adding large quantities of sugar and saccharin—an artificial sweetener—to mimic the sweet, potent taste of authentic palm wine.
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The most horrifying detail, visible in widely shared photographs, was the presence of cockroaches infesting the gallons of fermenting liquid. The insects could be seen floating in and crawling on the mixture, likely attracted by the strong, sugary smell. It is unclear if they were a misguided attempt to “add flavor” or simply a consequence of the filthy, unkempt environment where this toxic brew was being produced.
A Facebook user who shared the news issued a stark warning: “Artificial palm wine made in Douala with fermented water from soaked cassava, saccharine, sugar and some few cockroaches… Be careful what you drink out there.”
Severe Health Risks of Counterfeit Alcohol
Consuming such a product poses severe and immediate health risks. Health experts warn that:
- Unregulated Fermentation: Improperly fermented cassava can produce toxic chemicals, including cyanide derivatives.
- Artificial Sweeteners: High consumption of saccharin has been linked to various health issues, and its use in an unregulated, alcoholic concoction is extremely dangerous.
- Bacterial Contamination: The presence of cockroaches, known carriers of pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and other disease-causing bacteria, introduces a high risk of food poisoning, severe gastrointestinal distress, and infectious diseases.
- Unknown Toxins: The overall unsanitary conditions mean consumers are at risk of ingesting a cocktail of unknown and potentially lethal contaminants.
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Authorities are expected to seal off the illicit operation completely. The perpetrators, once apprehended, will likely face the full wrath of Cameroonian law, which has strict penalties for endangering public health through the production and sale of adulterated food and beverages. This bust serves as a critical reminder for consumers to be vigilant about the sources of their food and drink, especially from informal vendors.
Health Alert: ‘Fake Palm Wine’ Factory Using Cassava, Saccharin, and Cockroaches Busted in Cameroon.
