Jordanian senator blames negligence, recklessness for alcohol poisoning case
The investigation into the deaths of nine individuals and dozens of injuries caused by consuming alcoholic beverages laced with toxic industrial methanol has sparked questions about the effectiveness of regulatory and legislative measures in protecting public health.
Senator Dr. Ammar Al-Qudah stated that the act related to the “methyl alcohol” case rises from manslaughter to premeditated murder.
Speaking to Roya, he explained that Article 343 of the Penal Code stipulates that anyone who causes the death of another through negligence, recklessness, or failure to observe laws and regulations shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to three years.
He stressed that knowingly endangering Jordanians’ health by mixing poisonous methanol with alcohol, even if the outcome was not intentionally desired, elevates the act to intentional murder.
Qudah pointed out that most cases of food fraud are uncovered by Public Security forces and emphasized that any food is considered adulterated or harmful if it contains toxic substances, highlighting the responsibility of oversight authorities.
He also warned of weak oversight mechanisms and a lack of resources, noting that methanol is a deadly chemical that can cause nervous system failure, blindness, and death, facts well known to alcohol manufacturers.
Meanwhile, governance and institutional risk consultant Mervat Mheirat praised the Facility Inspection Law, which defines the roles of oversight agencies and grants them a clear legislative framework.
She noted that the Awareness and Regulatory Committee for the industrial sector is responsible for such issues, suggesting that the problem likely occurred during the production monitoring phase due to a failure to collect necessary samples.
Mheirat also highlighted the lack of digital databases and tracking mechanisms for products from factory to consumer, emphasizing that the responsibility for any food product lies with the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA).
In the same context, Chief Public Prosecutor Dr. Nayef Al-Samarat announced that 23 suspects have been detained in connection with the methanol poisoning case, including one fugitive and another already held in a correctional facility. The incident has resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, among them a woman in her sixties, and left 50 others hospitalized.
The Grand Criminal Court’s prosecutor ordered the suspects to be held for 15 days, subject to renewal. Earlier, Al-Samarat told Roya News that 12 of the accused face charges of premeditated murder under Article 326 of the Penal Code, and attempted murder under Articles 326, 70, and 80, in reference to Article 64.
An additional 13 individuals face charges of aiding and abetting in murder and attempted murder in the same case.
