Alarming Sight as River in Japan Transforms into Crimson Hue Due to Beer Factory Spill, Causing Concern among Residents

Images circulating on the internet reveal the aftermath of a food colouring spill at a Japanese port, resulting in a river adopting a vivid blood-red hue. The Nago City river in Okinawa, Japan, underwent a startling transformation, causing concern among both residents and tourists.

Based on information from the BBC, the leakage is said to have originated from a cooling system within the brewery, presumably taking place on Tuesday. Japanese media reports indicate that the incident was successfully halted at approximately 9:30 am local time.

In a statement, Orion Breweries, a brewing company, expressed their apologies for the “considerable trouble and concern” caused by the incident. They acknowledged that a food colouring dye leaked into a river, resulting in a noticeable change in the port’s color. However, they reassured the public that there were no health hazards associated with the incident.

As reported by The Independent, the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has stated that the chemical in question, widely utilized in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors, is “generally recognized as safe.” Factories employ this chemical as a food additive during the cooling process.

Orion Breweries stated that they believe the red color in the sea was caused by a leakage of propylene glycol. This particular substance is a food additive listed in the enforcement regulations of the Food Sanitation Act. They further explained that the leaked cooling water, which contained propylene glycol, likely made its way into a river through a rain gutter, resulting in the sea turning red.