Urgent Safety Alert for Fake Glen’s Vodka Laced with Deadly Industrial Solvent: Can You Taste the Difference?
Food safety authorities are investigating a popular vodka over concerns the drink may have been laced with a potentially deadly industrial solvent.
Authorities have issued a ‘do not drink’ warning on the counterfeit drink labelled Glen’s Vodka (35cl).
There are fears the drink sold in the UK contains isopropyl alcohol, which is ‘not intended for human consumption’.
Commonly used in cleaning products, aftershaves and hand sanitizers, drinking the solvent can cause vomiting, stomach pain and breathing problems. In rarer cases, it can even be fatal.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which issued the warning, said the imitation drink “may have an odd smell and taste that is different to real vodka”.
Officials have issued a ‘do not drink’ warning on the counterfeit drink, labelled as Glen’s Vodka (35cl). There are fears the drink, which is being sold in the UK, contains isopropyl alcohol, which is ‘not intended for human consumption’
The best way to distinguish between real and counterfeit products is to check the label and the bottom of the bottle.
‘Each original bottle of Glen’s Vodka has a laser-engraved lot code placed between the back label and the base of the bottle,’ the FSA said.
‘There are also markings (bottle size, fill height, and bottle ID) on the bottom of the bottle.
‘These will not vary in position or detail.
‘The bottle shape number may vary. Do not use this as a unique identifier.
‘Isopropyl alcohol is an industrial solvent and is not intended for human consumption.’
Anyone experiencing unusual symptoms should seek medical attention, the watchdog also warned.
People may be able to tell if their vodka is contaminated by smell alone, isopropyl alcohol has a ‘strong odor’.
In this case, the bottle should be kept in a safe place and reported to the local authority for further instructions, the FSA advised
The best way to tell the difference between real and fake is to check the label and the base of the bottle. ‘Every genuine bottle of Glen’s Vodka will have a laser-etched lot code which is placed on the bottle between the back label and the base of the bottle,’ the FSA says
‘They also have markings (bottle size, fill height and bottle ID) on the bottom of the bottle. ‘These will not vary in position or detail’
“If anyone has information regarding the production or sale of counterfeit alcohol, please contact our free and confidential National Food Crime Unit hotline,” they added.
The warning is also comes just days after Food Standards Scotland (FSS) reported that counterfeit Glen’s Vodka had been found in convenience stores in Glasgow and Lanarkshire.
A spokesperson for the Loch Lomond Group, which owns Glen’s Vodka, said: ‘Our priority is the health and safety of the public, including our many thousands of loyal Glen’s customers.
‘We are working hard to support the excellent efforts of Food Standards Scotland and the other authorities involved to urgently address the issue.
‘We urge customers who suspect they have a counterfeit product to contact their local council’s environmental department or the Food Standards Scotland Food Crime and Incidents Unit as soon as possible.
‘Ingested isopropyl alcohol is converted to acetone, which can cause symptoms to occur immediately or later, up to 30 hours after ingestion.’