The Dutch food authority NVWA has also warned consumers in Germany to be careful when drinking “Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial” brand champagne in the 3-liter format. Such bottles could contain the drug MDMA – also known as ecstasy – and drinking it could be life-threatening, according to the warning distributed on Saturday. The NVWA has also alerted the German Federal Office for Consumer Protection.
The warning relates to bottles of “Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial” in the 3 liter format with the product number LAJ7QAB6780004. The liquid does not foam in the glass, the MDMA has a reddish-brown color and smells of anise, it said.
A bottle in this format, which contained the drug instead of champagne, was discovered in both Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany, according to the information, one person has died and seven have become seriously ill. According to the NVWA, four people have been injured in the Netherlands so far.
Ecstasy in champagne: Even small amounts can be extremely dangerous
According to the information, both previously known bottles had been bought via an as yet unidentified website, the manufacturer Moët Hennessy had informed the authorities. It is not known how the drug got into the bottles. It is therefore not possible to assess whether there are more bottles of the drug in circulation.
Even the smallest amounts could cause serious damage, the authority warned. “Even dipping a fingertip in the liquid and tasting it can lead to serious health problems even without swallowing it.” One should not touch the content, let alone try it. “Taking a small sip can be fatal.”