22 August 2008, 08/200
Counterfeit vodka – danger warning
West Lancs shoppers are warned to watch out for
counterfeit vodka, laced with poisonous methanol, that may be on sale in the
area.
Bottles of fake Spar brand Imperial
Vodka have been discovered that
contain high levels of methanol, a toxic substance used in
antifreeze.
It must be stressed that Spar brand Imperial
Vodka sold in Spar (UK) stores is not affected and is genuine. The
fake bottles are being sold through non-Spar outlets.
The fakes are difficult to identify and the
best way to spot a counterfeit is to check the glass bottle. The
counterfeit bottles are Quinn Glass and are identified by the code
QI:1445c and a smudged inkjet code
reading that looks like 102234 04/08/02. Legitimate bottles are
Rockware glass bottles notated by:
700ml66mm followed by 2 symbols and then the numbers 8809. Also,
there is no ‘lot code’ on the neck of the counterfeit bottles,
whereas all legitimate stock does have lot codes.
Councillor Geoff Hammond, portfolio holder for
Environmental Health, said: “This fake vodka is laced with methanol
and is dangerous. If anyone drinks it, they could become seriously
ill. We’ve been warned that the counterfeit vodka has been found in
London and Northumberland but that bottles could turn up anywhere
in the country. Our Environmental Health officers are contacting
all the local off-licences to warn them and I urge everyone to be
on the lookout.”
Anyone who thinks they may have a bottle of
the counterfeit vodka is urged to contact
Deryck Taylor, Senior
Environmental Health Officer, on 01695 585349 or deryck.taylor@westlancsdc.gov.uk
Related information
> Environment
> Food
safety
> Trading
standards