More fake vodka seizures in Scotland prompts warning

Scotland’s food agency has again warned consumers to be vigilant after finding more counterfeit vodka.

The fake alcohol was recovered in convenience stores in Coatbridge and Glasgow. It was sold in 35cl bottles and fraudulently labeled as Glen’s.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and North Lanarkshire Council initially found 40 bottles of counterfeit vodka at a shop in Coatbridge. The discovery was made after a customer reported that a product they had purchased smelled of nail varnish remover.

Lab results from vodka sampled in August confirmed presence of the chemical isopropyl.

Isopropanol is a toxic alcohol not suitable for human consumption. Ingestion of any amount can lead to toxicity and larger amounts can be fatal. Onset of symptoms may be immediate or delayed, for up to 30 hours after ingestion. They include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, intoxication, respiratory depression, and coma.

Consumer advice

FSS and the brand owner for Glen’s vodka are trying to mitigate the risk to consumers by providing additional information to help distinguish between genuine and counterfeit products.

Every genuine bottle of Glen’s vodka has a laser etched lot code on the bottle between the rear label and the base. The bottle ID, size, and fill height on the base will not vary but the bottle mold number may be different.

A spokesperson for the Loch Lomond Group, which owns Glen’s Vodka, said: “We are working hard to support the excellent efforts of FSS and the other authorities involved to address the matter urgently. We would urge any customers who suspect they may have a counterfeit product to contact their local council’s environmental health service or the FSS Food Crime and Incidents Unit as quickly as possible.”

FSS has asked local authorities to identify and visit relevant establishments in their area to check for counterfeit products and make businesses aware of the issue.

Scale of issue unclear

Gordon Mitchell, head of crime operations at FSS, said the smell and bottle differences between the fake and genuine product can help people tell the difference.

“As we do not yet know the scale of distribution of these products, but we do know the potential dangers associated with consumption, we are urging consumers once again to be extremely vigilant and to please get in touch if you have any information relating to the counterfeit vodka. We would also remind retailers that they should only be purchasing products from reputable suppliers.”

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.”

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/09/more-fake-vodka-seizures-in-scotland-prompts-warning/