Alert over counterfeit vodka

Aug 22 2008 Sunday Sun

BOTTLES of counterfeit vodka have been discovered in North stores containing potentially harmful levels of methanol, police and food safety experts warned today.

Northumbria Police are investigating after 70cl bottles of counterfeit SPAR Imperial vodka were discovered.

However, a store selling the bottles was not part of the SPAR convenience store chain, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said. There are no concerns with authentic SPAR Imperial vodka.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said today: "A seizure of 180 70cl bottles was made on August 5 at Waverdale Avenue, Outer East area of Newcastle. A Ford Transit van was stopped as part of a road operation being carried out by the Neighbourhood Policing team and partner agencies.

"The bottles were found in the back of the van and seized by officers. The driver of the van, a 19-year-old man was arrested and bailed pending further enquiries.

Sgt Tony Hub, of the Byker and Walker Neighbourhood Policing team, said: "The seizure was made on August 5 and means some of this potentially harmful imitation is out of circulation. We're working closely with our partners to try to ensure the public is safe from harm from this substance."

Meanwhile, SPAR has told the FSA that its own-brand vodka is only sold in SPAR stores. It warned consumers against buying the brand elsewhere.

The counterfeit vodka contains potentially harmful levels of methanol, which could cause serious health effects including blindness if consumed in large quantities, the FSA said.

There have been no cases of ill health reported in connection with the vodka.

The FSA is issuing an alert to local authorities, asking them to check for counterfeit bottles on sale in their area.

The counterfeit vodka has a hint of acetone smell, similar to nail varnish, the FSA said.

The bottles already found carry the code QI:1445c and a smudged inkjet code which appears to read 102234 04/08/02.

Legitimate bottles have the code 700ml66mm followed by two symbols and then the numbers 8809.

The lot code is also missing from the neck of the counterfeit bottle samples whereas lot codes are present on all legitimate stock.

The FSA urged the public to report any counterfeit vodka to their trading standards service at their local authority.

Methanol is normally found in vodka at very low levels, but high levels can cause methanol poisoning leading to nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness and dizziness, blurred vision leading to blindness, and breathing difficulties.

Symptoms of methanol poisoning can take several hours to develop. Anyone who thinks they may have drunk the counterfeit product should seek immediate medical advice, the FSA said.

Suspect bottles have also been found in London and an investigation has been launched by Islington Council in London.