
Warning issued after fake vodka containing lethal chemical found in Scotland
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) warned 35cl counterfeit half bottles were found to be fraudulently labelled as Glen's Vodka.
The fakes were found to contain the chemical isopropyl, which is not intended for human consumption.
FSS warned the fake spirit make have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka.
If ingested, symptoms can range from abdominal pain, vomiting and dizziness, to slow breathing, coma, and even death. FSA via Supplied
Customers have been warned to be extra vigilant when purchasing the spirit and are being urged to check for a laser etched lotcode, which is applied to genuine Glen's vodka between the rear label and the base of the bottle.
Anyone who believes they may have consumed counterfeit alcohol and/or are showing any symptoms is asked to contact NHS 24 on 111 immediately.
Anyone with information on the manufacture or sale of counterfeit alcohol is asked to contact the Scottish Food Crime Hotline on 0800 028 7926 or online, in partnership with Crimestoppers.
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STV News
9 hours ago
- STV News
Health board shares warning after fake vodka containing lethal chemical found in Scotland
NHS Lanarkshire has echoed a warning over fake vodka being sold in shops, which could cause death if ingested. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) warned that 35cl counterfeit half bottles were found to be fraudulently labelled as Glen's Vodka last month. The fakes were found to contain the chemical isopropyl, which is not intended for human consumption. FSS warned that the fake spirit may have a strange smell and taste differently from genuine vodka. If ingested, symptoms can range from abdominal pain, vomiting and dizziness, to slow breathing, coma, and even death. FSA via Supplied Every genuine bottle of Glen's vodka has a laser etched lotcode applied to the bottle. FSA via Supplied Customers have been warned to be extra vigilant when purchasing the spirit and are being urged to check for a laser etched lot code, which is applied to genuine Glen's vodka between the rear label and the base of the bottle. A spokesperson for NHS Larkshire said: 'Food Standards Scotland have issued a public health warning after counterfeit vodka was found to contain isopropyl, which can be harmful if consumed. 'The counterfeit vodka recovered was sold in 35cl bottles and fraudulently labelled as Glen's.' Anyone who believes they may have consumed counterfeit alcohol and/or is showing any symptoms is asked to contact NHS 24 on 111 immediately. Anyone with information on the manufacture or sale of counterfeit alcohol is asked to contact the Scottish Food Crime Hotline on 0800 028 7926 or online, in partnership with Crimestoppers. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country


Scotsman
3 days ago
- Scotsman
Warning after counterfeit vodka seized by Food Standards Scotland
Midlothian Council's Environmental Health Officers have been checking licensed premises after Food Standards Scotland (FSS) issued a public health warning about counterfeit vodka. Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The FSS confirmed the vodka it seized contained the chemical isopropyl, which can be harmful and even fatal if consumed. The counterfeit vodka recovered was sold in 35cl bottles (commonly known as half bottles) and fraudulently labelled as Glen's. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When opened, the counterfeit vodka may have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka and therefore should not be drunk. Genuine bottles of Glen's will carry these markings, with no variance in their details. If consumed, even small amounts of isopropyl can be dangerous. Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, confusion, slow breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death. Counterfeit products with isopropyl alcohol will smell and taste very different to normal alcohol. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Every genuine bottle of Glen's vodka has a laser etched lotcode applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle. They will also have the following markings on the base of the bottle - the highlighted three identifiers pictured will not vary in either position or detail. A spokesperson for FSS said that the organisation is currently unaware of how widely the counterfeit vodka has been distributed. They said: 'The scale of distribution of counterfeit product is still unknown so if you believe you may have consumed alcohol that has a strong smell and a very different taste to normal and are showing any of the symptoms described, please contact the NHS 24 on 111 immediately. 'If symptoms care severe, call 999.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anyone who believes that they may have bought this counterfeit vodka by detecting a strong smell or taste that is different from normal, do not drink it or dispose of it, but please contact FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit – foodcrime@ – for further advice. Alternatively contact Scottish Food Crime Hotline anonymously on 0800 028 7926 or online, if you have any information.


Scotsman
4 days ago
- Scotsman
West Lothian residents warned to be vigilant after counterfeit Glen's vodka seized
West Lothian Council is urging residents to be cautious after reports of counterfeit vodka in circulation. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The council's environmental health team are now carrying out spot checks on local businesses this week after counterfeit vodka was seized last week in another local authority area. There are no known cases in West Lothian but the council said it is taking proactive measures to warn residents of the counterfeit product that contains the harmful chemical isopropyl. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The recovered counterfeit vodka was sold in 35cl bottles and was fraudulently labelled as Glen's. On July 25, Food Standards Scotland issued a public health alert, advising people to look out for vodka with a strange smell, an unusual taste, and to check the laser etched code on the bottle. The recovered counterfeit vodka was sold in 35cl bottles and was fraudulently labelled as Glen's Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, confusion, slow breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death. Food Standards Scotland said: 'The scale of distribution of the counterfeit product is still unknown so if you believe you may have consumed alcohol that has a strong smell and a very different taste to normal and are showing any of the symptoms described, please contact the NHS 24 on 111 immediately. If you have severe symptoms, call 999.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'Following a national alert from Food Standards Scotland regarding counterfeit Glens Vodka being sold in Scotland, additional proactive checks on businesses will be carried out from this week. Environmental Health Officers are reminding members of the public to be vigilant if purchasing this product and have shared advice on what to look out for.' How to spot a fake The public should check for a laser etched lot code applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle. A genuine bottle of Glen's vodka will also have three markings on the base of the bottle – two of which will not vary in position or detail | Food Standards Scotland/Brapps, flickr Every genuine bottle of Glen's vodka has a laser etched lot code applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle. They will also have markings on the base of the bottle and the public should make sure to check for these. If you believe you may have purchased this counterfeit vodka by detecting a strong smell or taste that is different from normal, you should not drink it or dispose of it, and instead contact the environmentalhealth@ team who will provide further advice and assistance. You can also contact the FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at foodcrime@ for further advice.