Food Standards Scotland issues information to consumers after further seizures of counterfeit alcohol

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is issuing information to consumers to help identify counterfeit vodka products following more seizures over the weekend.

The counterfeit vodka, so far recovered in local convenience stores in Coatbridge and Glasgow, was sold in 35cl bottles (commonly known as half bottles) and fraudulently labelled as Glen’s.

FSS have been working closely with the brand owner for Glen’s vodka to try and mitigate the risk to consumers.  As a result, additional information is being provided to help them distinguish between genuine and counterfeit products.

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.

They will also have the following markings on the base of the bottle - the highlighted three identifiers will not vary (position or detail).

A spokesperson for the Loch Lomond Group which owns Glen’s Vodka, said: “Our priority is the health and safety of the public which includes 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 address the matter urgently. We would urge any customers who suspect they may have a counterfeit product to contact their local council’s environmental health service or the Food Standards Scotland Food Crime and Incidents Unit as quickly as possible.”

As reported previously, lab results from counterfeit vodka sampled in August 2024 confirmed the presence of the chemical isopropyl.

Isopropanol (isopropyl, IPA) is a toxic alcohol not suitable for human consumption.  Ingestion of any amount can lead to toxicity and larger amounts can be fatal.  Ingested IPA will be converted to acetone and so onset of symptoms may be immediate or delayed, for up to 30 hours post ingestion.   Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, intoxication, respiratory depression and coma. Cardiovascular collapse is also possible.  Anyone with symptoms should seek medical attention call NHS 111 in the first instance or 999 in an emergency.  Please be aware IPA has a strong odour and it may be possible to detect contaminated products by smell alone.

FSS has today issued a food alert for action notice to all Local Authorities in Scotland, requesting them to identify and visit relevant establishments in their area to check for counterfeit products and make businesses aware of the issue.

Gordon Mitchell, Head of Crime Operations at FSS, said: “Following further seizures of counterfeit vodka over the weekend, we need the public to be aware of any factors which may help them distinguish counterfeit products from genuine Glen’s. As well as a distinct smell, the counterfeit products are bottled differently to genuine Glen’s and the images provided will help consumers to tell the difference.

“As we do not yet know the scale of distribution of these products, but we do know the potential dangers associated with consumption, we are urging consumers once again to be extremely vigilant and to please get in touch if you have any information relating to the counterfeit vodka. We would also remind retailers that they should only be purchasing products from reputable suppliers.”

If anyone believes they may have purchased such products, we would ask you to contact the FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit – foodcrime@fss.scot – for further advice. Do not drink any of the product and please store in a safe place to allow FSS to collect and analyse.

If anyone has any information on the manufacture or sale of counterfeit alcohol  then please contact the Scottish Food Crime Hotline (0800 028 7926) or online, in partnership with Crimestoppers. The hotline is free and anonymous.