Urgent health warning issued over fake bottles of vodka containing industrial alcohol - 'Can lead to death'
The counterfeit bottles closely resemble the original product pictured here
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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued an urgent warning about counterfeit Glen's Vodka containing dangerous levels of isopropyl alcohol.
This industrial solvent not intended for human consumption poses severe risks, such as alcohol poisoning and in extreme cases, death.
Local authorities have been alerted about counterfeit products and have been urged to remove them from circulation.
Consumers are advised to be vigilant and check for specific markers of authenticity.
Consumers can identify counterfeit Glen's Vodka by checking for a laser-etched lot code on the bottle
FSA
The product may have a strange smell and taste different from genuine Glen's Vodka due to the presence of isopropyl.
This can lead to severe health consequences and prompt symptoms like nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
More serious side effects include intoxication, respiratory depression and coma.
Anyone who experiences these symptoms after consuming suspected counterfeit vodka should seek immediate medical attention.
A statement issued by the FSA reads: "Products sampled were found to contain isopropyl alcohol, so they are unsafe.
"Isopropyl alcohol is an industrial solvent and is not intended for human consumption.
"Consumption of isopropyl alcohol can quickly lead to alcohol poisoning and in severe cases death."
The toxic nature of the solvent isopropyl makes it particularly dangerous when mistaken for ethanol, which is used in legitimate alcoholic beverages.
The FSA has urged consumers to identify counterfeit Glen's Vodka by checking for a laser-etched lot code on the bottle.
The code, according to the notice, should be located between the label and the base of the bottle.
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Details at the base of the bottle can help distinguish between authentic and fake bottles
FSA
If the vodka gives off a strange smell or lacks the lot code, consumers should not drink it.
"Instead, store it in a safe place and report it to your Local Authority for further instruction and advice," urges the FSA.
"If anyone has further information on the manufacture or sale of counterfeit alcohol, then please contact our freephone confidential National Food Crime Unit Hotline: 0800 028 1180."
Businesses are being made aware of the issue to prevent further distribution, the FSA confirmed.