Counterfeit vodka warning

0 - 0 • Published 29 Aug 2008 16:15 0 Comments

Argyll and Bute Council is warning the public to be cautious after the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a health warning about counterfeit SPAR Imperial Vodka which has been distributed.

A number of 70cl bottles of the counterfeit vodka were found on sale in a non-SPAR store in Northumbria and the Council's Environmental Health team is urging people to be extra vigilant.

The counterfeit vodka contains potentially harmful levels of methanol. The levels recorded could have serious health effects, including blindness, if consumed in large quantities.

No counterfeit bottles have been found in SPAR stores and there are no concerns associated with authentic bottles of SPAR Imperial Vodka.

No cases of ill health associated with this counterfeit vodka have currently been reported.

SPAR has told the FSA that the only legitimate route of purchase for SPAR Own Label 70cl is via a SPAR store and if offered for sale via any other means would be deemed suspect.

How to spot a counterfeit bottle:

The counterfeit SPAR Imperial Vodka has a smell of acetone similar to nail varnish.

Bottles of the counterfeit samples are identified by the code QI:1445c and a smudged inkjet code reading that looks like 102234 04/08/02.

Legitimate bottles are notated by the following:

700ml66mm followed by two symbols and then the numbers 8809

There is no lot code present on the neck of the counterfeit bottle samples, whereas lot codes are present on all legitimate stock.

If you believe you may have bought counterfeit vodka and know somewhere selling it, contact Andrew MacLeod at the Council's Environmental Health department on 01631 567916.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 29 Aug 08

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