Counterfeit vodka which contains potentially dangerously high levels of methanol has been found in circulation and consumers are being urged to watch out for any bottles of 'Imperial' vodka being sold outside Spar shops.
The vodka in question is a counterfeit version of the Spar brand is known as 'Imperial' and does not bear the name Spar on the front of the label but states their address on the back (see label on image below. The genuine bottle is on the right). The counterfeit vodka is not being sold in Spar shops - all Imperial vodka in Spars is genuine - but the Food Standards Agency, Trading Standards and environmental health officers are warning people in case it crops up in other premises.
So far there are no confirmed counterfeit bottles found in Cumbria, although they have been found in Northumberland and North London.
The counterfeits are identifiable as follows:
- Smell: The counterfeit has a smell which slightly resembles nail varnish.
- Outer packaging: Counterfeits come in plain brown cardboard boxes, not the usual Halewood cases for SPAR Own Label.
- Label: The counterfeit label is a copy of an old pre 2007 version of Imperial 70cl vodka. The main distinctive marks are that the duty stamp is incorrect and the label text is blurred in places, particularly on the back label.
Anyone finding a suspicious bottle should report it to Cumbria Trading Standards on 01539 713577 or their local Environmental Health Officer.
ENDS
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Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 226332