Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and North Lanarkshire Council Trading Standards have issued a public health warning about a potentially harmful additive found in counterfeit vodka.
Laboratory testing found that the 35cl bottles of counterfeit vodka seized by North Lanarkshire Trading Standards and fraudulently labelled as Glen’s contain the chemical isopropyl, which can be harmful if consumed.
The public should be aware that, when opened, the counterfeit vodka may have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka, and therefore should not be consumed.
According to FSS, even small amounts of isopropyl can be dangerous. Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, confusion, slow breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death. Counterfeit products with isopropyl alcohol smell and taste very different from normal alcohol.
The scale of distribution of the counterfeit product is still unknown so if consumers believe they may have consumed counterfeit alcohol or are showing any symptoms, they should contact their GP during working hours or, out of hours, the call NHS 24 on 111.
If anyone believes they may have purchased such products, they should contact the FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit – foodcrime@fss.scot – for further advice. The public are advised not to drink any of the product and to store it in a safe place so it can be collected and analysed.
FSS has also issued information to help consumers distinguish genuine Glen’s Vodka from the counterfeit product.
Gordon Mitchell, Head of Food Crime Operations at FSS, commented: “Following our warning to consumers after the discovery of counterfeit products, we are renewing our appeal for the public to be extra vigilant given the potential dangers which are associated with consumption of any product containing isopropyl.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that any products which pose a danger to the public are taken off the shelves, but in the meantime we need to alert those who maybe have already bought counterfeit product to check, and if there are any doubts then please do not consume and get in touch as soon as possible.”
Paul Bannister, Protective Services Manager at North Lanarkshire Council said: “This product could potentially cause serious damage to people if consumed and it’s crucial that people take on board the advice issued. Do not drink the liquid if an odd or unusual smell is detected on opening the bottle.
“There are no effective quality controls or safety protocols within the manufacture of counterfeit alcohol, which is made by serious organised crime groups purely for criminal gain, with complete disregard for the health and safety of consumers. Organised crime has a detrimental impact on communities and making a quick buck from the sale of counterfeit goods can potentially cause harm to people living here.”
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