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Detran-SP Announcement Brings New Perspective on Breathalyzer Law and Reassures Drivers About the Impact of Processed Foods.
Recently, the Detran-SP issued a crucial announcement that is making waves among drivers. The breathalyzer law, known for being one of the strictest tools in combating the combination of alcohol and driving, now has a new nuance that deserves everyone’s attention. The agency brought to light a topic that had been causing panic: the possibility of testing positive on the breathalyzer after consuming foods that, apparently, contain alcohol, such as sandwich bread.
Understand the Controversy Surrounding the Breathalyzer Law
In recent months, many drivers were caught off guard by the news that even the simple consumption of sandwich bread could result in a fine on the breathalyzer test. This information circulated widely on social media, creating a real terror among those who typically consume this basic daily food. The reason behind this fear is that some processed breads contain preservatives sprayed with alcohol to increase their shelf life, which could, in theory, result in a false positive on the breathalyzer.
The Positioning of Detran-SP
In light of this alarming situation, Detran-SP decided to intervene and clarify the facts. In its announcement, the agency made it clear that there is no risk of fines for drivers who have consumed foods like sandwich bread before driving. Detran-SP highlighted that the presence of alcohol in these products is minimal and, within minutes, is no longer detectable by the device. In other words, drivers can breathe easy.
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This measure was important to put an end to the panic that spread and to prevent drivers from being unjustly penalized. The Detran-SP reinforced that the breathalyzer law continues to focus on detecting significant levels of alcohol in the blood, that genuinely compromise road safety, and not on punishing those who consume foods with residual traces of ethanol.
Technical Details and Experts
To better understand this issue, the newspaper TV Foco consulted experts in traffic medicine and nutrition. Alysson Coimbra, traffic physician and member of the National Road Safety Observatory, explains that the mouth can indeed have traces of alcohol after consuming these foods, but that these traces dissipate in about 10 to 15 minutes. Nutritional specialist Eline de Almeida Soriano, from the Brazilian Association of Nutrition, reinforces that the alcohol present in bread is superficial and does not impact blood alcohol levels.
The preservatives used in sandwich bread are diluted in alcohol before being sprayed onto the product, which is a common practice in the food industry to prevent mold formation. However, this alcohol evaporates almost completely, and even if residues remain, they are insignificant to cause any intoxication or even a positive breathalyzer test.
Detran-SP Took the Opportunity to Alert About the Dangers of Misinformation
The Detran-SP took the opportunity to alert about the dangers of misinformation. According to Marcelo Reis, coordinator of the Integrated Safe Driving Operation (ODSI) in São Paulo, the enforcement operations are well accepted by the public, but rumors like this can harm public perception of these essential actions for road safety. He emphasized that the breathalyzer law is an important tool for raising awareness and preventing accidents, and that confusions like this can hinder this work.
Clear and Fact-Based Communication
Finally, Detran-SP’s announcement emphasized the importance of clear and fact-based communication. The agency is committed to continuing to educate drivers about the breathalyzer law and ensuring that everyone understands the real dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. It also reinforced the need to better regulate the information on food packaging that undergoes fermentation processes.
With around 34 million registered vehicles and more than 25 million licensed drivers in São Paulo, Detran-SP remains committed to maintaining road safety and providing quality services to the population. However, it is crucial that drivers stay alert and seek correct information to avoid unnecessary panic and ensure safe and responsible driving.
Have you heard of this sandwich bread and breathalyzer myth? Tell us in the comments if you have experienced a similar situation or if you feel more at ease with Detran-SP’s explanations.
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