Warning issued after counterfeit alcohol found in Scotland

Authorities in Scotland have warned consumers to be wary of counterfeit alcohol products.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and North Lanarkshire Council recently found 40 bottles of counterfeit vodka, fraudulently labeled as Glen’s, in a store in Coatbridge.

The discovery was made after a member of the public reported that a product they had purchased smelled like nail polish remover.

Officials from the council’s environmental health team and the FSS removed the bottles from the shelves and samples were sent for analysis.

Ron McNaughton, head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at FSS, said drinking such products poses a health risk.

“The labeling, the appearance of the packaging and the smell can indicate that something is wrong. “If you buy counterfeit alcohol, you don’t know what ingredients it contains and how strong it is, which can lead to serious illness and intoxication after one or two drinks,” he said.

Anyone who believes they have purchased counterfeit alcohol should contact their local council’s environmental health service or the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit.

From North Lanarkshire Council, Helen Loughran said: “This was a significant discovery by high street agents in Coatbridge, who acted quickly to remove the counterfeit products from sale. Our environmental, health and food safety officers remain vigilant to the potential problem of counterfeit alcohol in North Lanarkshire to protect public health.”

A broader problem

Earlier this year, investigators from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) helped break up a potential smuggling network for premium vodka and whiskey that spanned several continents.

The information provided by OLAF resulted in the inspection of dozens of suspicious containers and the seizure of almost 400,000 bottles, with an estimated value of 14 million euros.

The plan involved transshipping counterfeit spirits via the Caucasus to various ports within the European Union. The Caucasus includes Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Spirits were packaged and labeled to mimic premium brands, making it difficult for consumers and retailers to distinguish them from legitimate products. The main destination of counterfeit spirits was the EU market, but the plan and production process spanned several countries outside the European Union.

Ville Itälä, Director General of OLAF, said: “Counterfeit alcohol is not only an economic crime, but also a serious risk to public health. These illegal products often contain harmful substances that can cause serious health problems or even be fatal. We successfully disrupted a sophisticated criminal network and prevented these dangerous products from reaching the public.”

A recently published review looked at the problem, scope and scale of counterfeit spirits.

Estimates of counterfeit spirits range from 25 to 40 percent of the total amount of alcoholic spirits consumed worldwide, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists.

Every year, thousands of deaths and injuries are reported as a result of ingesting poisonous substances sold as liquor. In many cases, the buyer of counterfeit spirits is happy to do this, often because of the price. In some countries, victims do not seek medical care due to cultural restrictions and stigma for fear of legal consequences or religious and moral repercussions.

Scientists concluded that systematic efforts are needed to combat the production of counterfeit spirits. This includes stricter legislation and greater deterrents, such as higher fines and wider detection.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)