Warning: Contaminated vodka found

Release Date: 22-Aug-2008

Bottles of seriously contaminated, counterfeit vodka that could cause severe illness and even ultimately blindness have been found on sale at five independent shops across Bristol by Bristol City Council Environmental Health teams.

Now the council's experts are preparing to check small grocers and off-licences across the city over the weekend in order to protect the public from the possible sale of any more of the dangerous drinks.

The discoveries at stores in Cotham, Ashley Down, Easton, Clifton and Stokes Croft came after The Food Standards Agency issued a nationwide food alert relating to the vodka, sold under the IMPERIAL label in 700ml or 70cl glass bottles. They are copies of a product normally sold legitimately by the grocers SPAR.

The counterfeit vodka contains harmful levels of methanol and an excessive intake of the compound can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness, dizziness and breathing difficulties. It can also cause blurred vision leading to blindness, which can be permanent.

The fake and dangerous bottles can be easily distinguished from the genuine article in the following ways:

SPAR have said that the only legitimate route of purchase for SPAR IMPERIAL 70cl bottles of vodka is via a SPAR store, therefore any bottles offered for sale through non-Spar outlets are likely to be counterfeit.
The counterfeit vodka carries the embossed marking Q1:1445 C on the bottom rim of the glass bottle
There is no 'Lot' code on the neck of counterfeit bottles, while genuine bottles carry an inkjet printed 'lot code'.
The barcode on the counterfeit bottles is horizontal and carries the number 5 010358 122953. On the genuine 70cl bottle, the bar code is vertical.
The black print is blurred on a label claiming the vodka is bottled for Spar (UK), which can be found printed on the rear of the fake bottles.
If any bottles have been opened, the contents are said to smell slightly of acetone (similar to nail varnish remover)

If you see any of this product for sale outside of office hours - including over ther weekend - please call Bristol City Council’s Control Centre on 0117 922 2050 and leave details of the exact location where the vodka is for sale.

If you have bought any of the fake vodka already do not drink it and report as above - we will send an officer out to collect it from you and take details of where you purchased it.

If you have already drunk some of this product be aware of the possible symptoms, which may be delayed for a few hours, and seek medical advice.

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