Cocktails from a Fiji resort where seven people fell ill from a suspected poisoning incident did not contain methanol or illicit substances, authorities say.
Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka says a toxicology report of the pina colada mixture served at the five-star Warwick Fiji resort found the drinks were not laced with illegal alcohol.
“After testing the ingredients of the drinks served to guests by the Fiji police force, I can confirm that no illicit substances or methanol were found in the ingredients or liquor samples,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
A resort representative previously said the pina colada ingredients included a powder smoothie mixture from New Zealand, coconut liqueur, pineapple juice and white rum.
The resort bought them from established suppliers, he said.
Fijian police and its health department continue to investigate the cause of the group’s illness.
Mr Gavoka also said the seven affected people, which includes four Australians, had been discharged from hospital and had recovered.
The group, aged between 18 and 56, was taken to hospital on Saturday after drinking the cocktails at the resort on Viti Levu island.
“The findings that there is no evidence of alcohol poisoning is great news for Fiji,” Mr Gavoka said.
Australian mother and daughter, Tanya and Georgia Sandoe landed back in Sydney on Monday evening after being released from hospital.
Mr Gavoka, who is also the tourism minister, said the South Pacific nation was a safe and reliable destination for travellers and the community was in disbelief about the poisoning allegation.
“We were rocked by this, the whole industry was quite affected … No one in Fiji would do anything harmful to any of our guests,” he said.
“Fiji holds the highest standards when it comes to food, beverages and overall safety (and) the health and wellbeing of our visitors remains our top priority.”
Mr Gavoka also asked foreign governments to remove travel warnings related to the incident.
A health official told reporters the symptoms the group suffered could have been caused by an infection or other chemicals and these were lines of inquiry.
The incident follows the death of two Australians in Laos, where they were among several victims of a suspected mass methanol poisoning.
About one million Australians visit Fiji each year and tourism contributes significantly to the nation’s economy.
Written By: Aaron Bunch © Australian Associated Press
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