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Meth-laced soda surfaces in Mexico; travelers advised to use caution

Banner Health is warning those traveling to Mexico to be aware of possible contaminated 7Up beverages in the Mexicali area.
Bottles of 7Up

Banner Health is warning those traveling to Mexico to be aware of possible contaminated 7Up beverages in the Mexicali area.

The contaminated soft drinks caused seven people to become ill and has killed one person, according to the Attorney General of Justice of the State of Baja California.

Mexicali is located about 240 miles from Phoenix, just south of the California border and Interstate 8.

According to a Banner Health press release, medical toxicologists and physicians are on alert after reports surfaced that methamphetamine was found in 7Up drinks originating in Mexicali.

Baja California's Health Department officials said health authorities have removed the products from shelves.

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Chris Barnes, spokesman for Dr Pepper Snapple Group, reassured that no 7Up products in the United States have been contaminated. The company distributes 7Up in the United States.

"None of the 7Up products sold in the U.S. are affected by the issue being reported in Mexico," Barnes said. "Dr Pepper Snapple owns and licenses the 7Up brand only in the U.S. and its territories. We do not market, sell or distribute the brand internationally."

The Baja attorney general's office announced on its Facebook page that an investigation is underway in order to figure out how the drug made its way into the soda.

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Dr. Daniel Brooks at Banner Health cautioned anyone traveling to Mexico.

“It is important to check that the seal for any food and drink consumed is still intact and shows no signs of tampering,” Brooks said.

Some side effects of drinking contaminated sodas are burning of the esophagus and stomach, vomiting and a fast or irregular heartbeat, according to Banner Health.

Banner Health encourages anyone who may be feeling any symptoms to call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or 911.

This story originally appeared on Arizona Republic’s website.

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