One of the partners of the bar Ministrão, located in the affluent neighborhood of Jardins in São Paulo, is scheduled to testify on Tuesday, October 24, before the City Council's CPI on Methanol. This follows an incident last year in which a customer reported losing her vision after consuming methanol-tainted beverages at the establishment. The testimony of Fagner Santos, who has been subpoenaed by city parliament members, marks a significant event in the ongoing investigations into the dangers of adulterated alcohol in the state of São Paulo.

The bar has been a focal point in the investigation of several cases involving methanol-adulterated beverages, which led to its closure by health authorities on September 30 of last year. It was reopened only 17 days later, following the scrutiny and mitigation of safety concerns. During the same session, Gabriel Pinheiro, the director of Abrasel (the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants), is also expected to provide insights into the broader impacts of these illicit practices on the hospitality industry, highlighting the health risks posed by counterfeit alcohol.

The CPI, led by councilwoman Zoe Martinez of the PL party, aims to investigate how contaminated drinks have infiltrated establishments like Ministrão, seeking answers and accountability from industry stakeholders. As the first bar owner to testify before the committee, Santos's testimony could unveil critical information about the supply chain of adulterated beverages and potentially bring to light other bars that might be involved in similar malpractice. This development underlines the urgent public health issue posed by unsafe alcohol consumption and the need for stringent regulations within the beverage service sector.