Luxury Champagne Recalled Again Over Ecstacy Contamination

A second batch of lethal, ecstasy-spiked luxury Moet & Chandon champagne has been recalled across Europe.

So far, the contamination has killed one person and poisoned 10 others across the continent.

Health watchdogs have issued a new warning over a second batch of the bubbly in Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Non-profit organization Foodwatch says it has blacklisted a second batch of Moet & Chandon's luxury three-liter XXL Ice Imperial bottles.

The first batch—LAJ7QAB6780004—was taken off the market shelves due to MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)—usually referred to by the street name ecstasy—contamination on February 26.

It will now be joined by a second batch of the drink—identified as LAK5SAA6490005—for the same reason.

Moet champagne
The first batch of the Moet & Chandon champagne found in the Netherlands was recalled by authorities. Foodwatch says it has blacklisted a second batch of the company's luxury three-liter XXL Ice Imperial bottles. Zenger/NVWA

A Foodwatch spokesperson said: "The authorities in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany announced the recall on June 7-14.

"June expanded and warned of a second batch."

They explained that the champagne would not look any different before uncorking it.

Foodwatch reported: "Touching and/or drinking the contents of the bottle is life-threatening, even trying it by dipping the tips of your fingertips can cause massive health problems.

"Champagne infused with MDMA does not sparkle, smells like anise and has a reddish-brown color.

"Affected bottles must immediately report to the police."

Dutch health authorities reported that four people fell ill after sipping from a tampered $540 bottle in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, in Germany, one partygoer died from the drink, while seven other people had to be hospitalized during a night out in Weiden in der Oberpfalz in Bavaria, southern Germany.

Harald Georg Z., 52, collapsed after taking a big swallow from a magnum of Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial as he celebrated the end of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions with some friends at the local La Vita eatery.

Moet
A glass of champagne being poured during Royal Ascot 2022 at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2022 in Ascot, England. So far, the contamination has killed one person and poisoned 10 others across the continent. Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse/Eamonn M. McCormack

The businessman and his pals had started with Aperols before spending $540 on the mega bottle of champagne to mark the end of a pandemic curfew.

Harald Georg Z. posted a video on social media showing the group toasting with champagne, before they suddenly started cramping with foam on their lips, German media revealed.

Reportedly, Harald Georg Z. desperately tried to run to the toilet before he passed out.

The bottle according to investigators, contained 1,000 times the dose of a single ecstasy pill.

Ecstasy is a psychoactive drug, which induces effects such as altered sensations, increased energy and pleasure.

Extended use can lead to memory problems, sleeping difficulties and paranoia.

This story was provided to Newsweek by Zenger News.

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