A WARNING has been issued to consumers after bottles of fake vodka were seized following concern from a member of the public.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and North Lanarkshire Council are warning consumers to be extra vigilant following a sizable discovery of the fake spirit being sold in Coatbridge.
More than 40 bottles of counterfeit vodka, fraudulently labelled as Glen's, were discovered after a member of the public reported that the product they had purchased smelled of nail varnish remover.
North Lanarkshire Council's environmental health officers and FFS removed the products from shelves and samples have been sent for analysis.
Consumers are being asked to take extra caution when purchasing alcohol and are encouraged to check any recently purchased products.
Ron McNaughton, head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at FSS, said: “Drinking these types of products presents a huge risk to health. The labelling, the look of the packaging and the smell can suggest something’s not right.
"When you buy counterfeit alcohol you have no way of knowing what ingredients it contains and how strong it is, which could lead to serious illness and intoxication following one or two drinks.
“Please get in touch if you believe you have bought any counterfeit products.”
Councillor Helen Loughran, convener of the environment and climate change committee at North Lanarkshire Council said: “This was a significant discovery by officers from a retail premises in Coatbridge, who acted quickly to remove the fake products from sale.
"Our environmental health and food safety officers remain vigilant to the potential issue of counterfeit alcohol within North Lanarkshire to protect public health.’’
Anyone who believes they may have purchased counterfeit alcohol should contact their local council’s environmental health service or the FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit –foodcrime@fss.scot.
North Lanarkshire Council’s environmental health can be contacted at 01236 856361 or environmental-health@northlan.gov.uk.
