Friday 22nd August 2008
(ref:
256/2008)
Food safety chiefs with Wigan Council are warning the public to be on their guard against bottles of counterfeit vodka that could contain high levels of harmful chemicals.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has raised the alarm nationally about fake bottles of Spar brand Imperial Vodka which have been found on sale on off-licences as far apart as North London and Northumberland.
The 70cl bottles of bogus booze have been found to contain levels of methanol that could potentially cause a risk to health.
No counterfeit bottles have been found in Spar stores and there are no concerns associated with authentic bottles of Spar Imperial Vodka.
The fake bottles have been found in shops other than Spar outlets.
Officers from Wigan Council’s Trading Standards team will be visiting shops and off-licences across the borough to make them aware of the counterfeits but so far none have been reported in the borough.
Ron Sherwood from the council’s Business Compliance Service says:
“We would ask all members of the public to on their guard against these fakes and if they do suspect they have come across some let us know”.
“We would stress that these are fakes and the genuine Spar brand Imperial Vodka is not affected.”
The bottles are identified as follows:
- Imperial Vodka, 70cl,
- Specially Selected by Spar
- Pure and Smooth
- Triple Distilled
The label is a copy of a pre-2007 version and the duty stamp is incorrect and does not work under UV light tests. The body of the text is blurred in places, particularly around black label text and images are also blurred.
Ron adds:
“Perhaps the easiest way of identifying the fakes is if you have bought a bottle of Spar brand Imperial Vodka from anywhere other than the Spar, then alarm bells should be ringing.”
Shops, off licences and members of the public who may have queries about this warning can contact the council’s Business Compliance Service on 01942 828142.
