Public warning after potentially harmful counterfeit vodka discovered

Orkney Islands Council’s Environmental Health team is urging the public to be alert to counterfeit and potentially very harmful Glen’s Vodka, currently circulating in Scotland.

Food Standards Scotland has issued a public health warning about the counterfeit 35ml bottles, fraudulently labelled as Glen’s, which have been found to contain the chemical isopropyl - an industrial product not suitable for human consumption.

The Council’s Environmental Health service is also working with partners to inform local licensed premises and businesses.

When consumed, even small amounts of isopropyl can be dangerous. Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, confusion, slow breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death.

Counterfeit products with isopropyl alcohol will smell and taste very different to normal alcohol.

The scale of distribution of counterfeit product is still unknown so if you believe you may have consumed alcohol that has a strong smell and a very different taste to normal AND are showing any of the symptoms described, please contact the NHS 24 on 111 immediately. If you have severe symptoms, call 999.

If you believe you may have purchased counterfeit vodka, do not drink it or dispose of it - but contact FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit urgently on  foodcrime@fss.scot , or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 028 7926.

Every genuine bottle of Glen’s vodka has a laser etched lotcode applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle.  

For full details, visit the alert on the Food Standards Scotland website. at FSS issues warning after potentially harmful counterfeit vodka discovered | Food Standards Scotland