Tests on counterfeit bottles seized by council trading standards officers across the UK have revealed high levels of methanol
Consumers tempted by cheap alcoholic drinks to see in the new year are being warned of the serious health risks for those who drink fake vodka.
Tests on counterfeit bottles seized by council trading standards officers across the UK have revealed high levels of methanol – an ingredient used to make anti-freeze and which can cause blindness – as well as dangerous industrial solvents.
Recently a shopkeeper was fined £16,000 after Surrey county council trading standards seized fake Glen's vodka which was found to contain 235 times more methanol than the legal limit.
Trading standards officers at Horsham in West Sussex warned residents following a seizure of Drop vodka, Red Admiral, Arctic Ice and Spar Imperial which contained the industrial solvent, Propan-2-ol. Smirnoff and Glen's vodka had also been copied with bottles containing 52.5% alcohol despite the labels' claims of 37.5%.
People in the Wokingham area have also been alerted to a consignment of 700 one-litre bottles of Drop vodka which, when investigated by trading standards teams, contained chloroform. Warning signs that indicate vodka could be fake include: the contents smelling of nail varnish; wonky and poorly printed labels often containing spelling mistakes; and bottles on the shelf not filled to the same level.
Paul Bettison, at the Local Government Association, warned shoppers of bargains. He , pointed out how homemade liquor killed 140 people in West Bengal this month.
He said: "We've all seen the dreadful scenes in India, highlighting the fatal truth of what can happen if you drink fake alcohol. It is often made in uncontrolled conditions and those buying and drinking it will have no idea of its contents.
"Everyone wants a bargain, especially at this time of year, but surely the potential health risks far outweigh any financial savings. Purchasing it also does nothing to help legitimate businesses stay afloat."
He added: "Frankly, if the offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is. If anyone is suspicious about a supplier or feels that they may have bought a bottle of counterfeit alcohol, please do not drink it. Instead, contact your local council or Consumer Direct(http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk) for for advice."
Salford city council's trading standards team seized 89 bottles of counterfeit Smirnoff and 15 bottles of Drop vodka this autumn. The drinks were found to be unfit for human consumption.
One in five independent off licences in Staffordshire were found to have been selling counterfeit alcohol when the county council launched an investigation after reports of people's throats burning after drinking certain types of vodka.
About 1,800 bottles were seized from 73 stores and found to contain high levels of methanol.
St Helen's borough council has recently launched two prosecutions against licensed premises for selling substituted Smirnoff vodka. Earlier this month, a bar owner had his alcohol licence suspended for a week and was fined £200 with £1,000 costs.
Nottinghamshire county council's trading standards found cleaning fluid and methanol in bottles of counterfeit vodka on sale at two off-licences in Mansfield.