"Deadly" fake vodka on sale

[wolfman]

The food standards agency has issued a food safety warning about counterfeit spar-brand imperial vodka.
 
 
 
70cl bottles have been discovered, which contain excessive levels of methanol. So far, counterfeit bottles have been found in Northumberland and North London. As the levels of methanol found in counterfeit spar-brand imperial vodka could potentially cause a health risk, this makes the product unsafe for consumption.

Spar (UK) LTD, the distributor of genuine spar-brand imperial vodka, has advised the food standards agency that the product found is not genuine.

Likely distribution of this product has not yet been determined, however a report has been received that this product was available on sale in an independent non-spar retail outlet. Spar-brand imperial vodka sold in Spar (UK) LTD stores is not affected.
 
from the Stockport.gov. website author unknown

[wolfman]

'Deadly' fake vodka alert
Deborah Linton and Neal Keeling
22/ 8/2008
THOUSANDS of potentially lethal bottles of fake vodka are flooding the streets of Greater Manchester, the M.E.N can reveal.

The number of bottles seized in the region has increased by more than 1,000 per cent in the past year with crooks passing off counterfeit and watered down vodka as the real thing.

Trading standards bosses warned that every fake bottle `is potentially lethal' after revealing that they have seized around 1,500 bottles over the last 12 months.

But they are also concerned this is only a small percentage of what is being put on the streets.

The bulk of the alcohol is coming from Eastern Europe where counterfeiters have a 'track record' of lacing it with toxic levels of cheap, industrial chemicals such as methanol.

Peter Astley, counterfeiting and piracy officer in the north west, said: "The number of seizures of counterfeit vodka is increasing but unfortunately it only touches on what is coming in through the back door.

"Consumers don't tell us about them because they think they're on to a bargain but it is a lose, lose situation and I would urge people not to touch it.

"Every bottle is potentially lethal.

"This stuff can be made for pennies and the people behind it put more money into the labelling than what is inside."

In the latest case, Salford's Kensington Pub Company Limited was this week fined almost £12,000 after officers discovered a haul of 705 bottles of counterfeit Kirov vodka at the White Lion pub in Manchester Road, Little Hulton, in July.

This followed the discovery of a 29 bottles of under strength Crown vodka in February at the Stumble Inn, Little Hulton, which is owned by the same firm.
Fined

Bosses at the company, which owns three pubs in Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to offences under trade acts and the food safety act at Salford magistrates and were fined a total of £11,765 including costs.
from the MEN web site authors as above