Nottinghamshire drinkers warned over fake spirit bottle that 'could kill'

Nottinghamshire County Council's County Hall headquarters in West Bridgford, with a large green tree seen at the front of the building
-Credit: (Image: Joseph Raynor/Nottingham Post)


Drinkers have been warned over a fake spirit bottle that contains a toxic substance which 'could kill' buyers. Nottinghamshire County Council has circulated a warning from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) after the food safety watchdog became aware dangerous counterfeit vodka was being sold.

The 35cl bottles, which falsely purport to be Glen's Vodka, could be filled with an industrial solvent called Isopropanol - which can lead to alcohol poisoning and even death in severe cases. "We’re aware that counterfeit vodka is being produced and sold," a spokesperson for the FSA said.

"Do not drink this fake alcohol as it may contain an industrial solvent which can lead to alcohol poisoning and in severe cases, death. If you see a product that doesn’t look quite right, then don’t buy it. If you’ve bought a bottle and it smells or tastes strange, don’t drink it."

Symptoms from drinking the toxic alcohol include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, intoxication, respiratory depression, coma and in severe cases, cardiovascular collapse and death. Anyone with symptoms should seek medical attention, according to the FSA.

The safety experts advised buyers to check for laser-etched lot code applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base, which should be on a genuine bottle of Glen’s Vodka.

A real bottle of Glen’s vodka will also have the following markings on the base of the bottle: 350ml (upper left), 51mm (upper right), 977 (lower left).

If you have bought any Glen’s vodka that has neither of these markings, store it in a safe place and report it to your local authority for further instruction and advice. The FSA has asked people with any information on the manufacture or sale of counterfeit alcohol to contact its confidential National Food Crime Unit hotline: 0800 028 1180.