These days the tragic story of an American boyfriends in Vietnam, who died after drinking a limoncello purchased in a restaurant in Hoi An, returns to make news. The fact dates back to two years ago: Greta Marie Oteson and Arno Els Quinton, respectively 33 and 36 years old, were cut off by an illness during the Christmas holidays, and the investigations identified the cause of the death in that limoncello, which was homemade.
The story inevitably raised questions and concerns about the consumption of homemade limoncello. But should we really worry? Let’s do some clarity.
What really happened
After consuming the limoncello, the two boys began to feel bad, but they did not immediately call the rescue, probably thinking that it was a normal hangover. Greta Marie, before losing her senses, had reported to feel very bad and to see black dots. The following day their lifeless bodies were found in two separate rooms of the structure where they welcomed tourists.
The limoncello that poisoned them had been ordered by the girl’s parents at the Good Morning Vietnam restaurant, well known in the area.
The investigations of the Vietnamese authorities revealed that the liqueur was not a correctly prepared artisan product, but had been made with 70%medical alcohol, a type of alcohol not intended for human consumption. The methanol poisoning that was therefore therefore the cause of the death of the two boyfriends, as confirmed then by the autopsies.
In February 2025, the restaurant bartender where the limoncello had been purchased was arrested on charges of violation of the food safety regulations and risks up to 15 years in prison. As you may have understood, it is therefore an extremely serious case of counterfeiting case of alcohol, but fortunately rare.
The tragedy of Greta and Arno took place just a few weeks after another similar episode in Laos, where six people had died from methanol poisoning.
Can drinking only one drink really kill you? If it is contaminated by methanol, yes! The lethal doses are very low: even less than a Shottino is enough. The recent death of six tourists in Laos has rekindled the spotlight on this substance often illegally added to alcohol. Let me explain everything you need to know about this toxic compound that 30 years was at the center of a large scandal in Italy, which caused 23 victims … #Greenme #greenmeitalia #metanolo #alcollica #alcol #drink #sicitude
Posted by Greenme On Friday, November 29, 2024
Homemade limoncello is safe
It is important to underline that the case of Vietnam has nothing to do with the limoncello prepared at home following the traditional Italian recipes. When using alcohol intended for food consumption, biological lemons and natural ingredients, limoncello is a safe liqueur.
In Italy and in many other countries there are clear regulations on the production of alcohol and on safety labels: the risk of intoxication occurs only if alcohol is not intended for human consumption or contaminated ingredients.
How to prepare limoncello safely
To prepare limoncello at home without risk, simply follow some basic rules:
Following these simple precautions, homemade limoncello remains safe and stable for months.
