Belgian Man Acquitted of DUI Charges Due to Auto-Brewery Syndrome

A court dismissed drunk driving charges against a Belgian man after confirming he suffers from a rare condition where his body produces alcohol.

The man was found with a blood alcohol level more than four times the legal limit but had not consumed alcohol.
Auto-brewery syndrome, or ABS, is a metabolic condition where gut microbes ferment carbohydrates into alcohol.
Medical experts and advocacy groups highlight the lack of awareness and legal recognition of ABS.
Treatment for ABS includes dietary changes and antifungal medications to manage fermentation.
Cases of ABS are rare but likely underdiagnosed, with fewer than 100 reported cases worldwide.