Dodgy vodka could kill, warn environmental health experts

Nov 28 2011 by Lynn Jolly, Paisley Daily Express

DRINKERS across Renfrewshire have been warned to steer clear of fake vodka which could end up leaving them in a COMA.

Worried environmental health officers at Renfrewshire Council have issued the warning over potentially-deadly Drop Vodka, which has a brown label and a water droplet logo, as it contains alcohol which is commonly found in de-icer.

Experts say the dodgy vodka should not be consumed under any circumstances.

It contains high levels of propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol), which is commonly found in de-icer and other industrial cleaning products.

Propan-2-ol poisoning can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and – in severe cases – coma.

The Food Standards Agency hasn’t been able to identify the company that owns the Drop Vodka brand, making tracking its distribution difficult.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire’s environment and infrastructure policy board, said: “This is a classic example of counterfeiters putting profit before people’s safety.

“This vodka contains dangerous levels of a chemical which is normally used as a solvent and drinking it could cause consumers serious health problems.

“Anyone who has bought Drop Vodka should contact environmental health officers immediately so that we can cut off the supply of this dangerous and illegal spirit.”

Typically, the vodka has been on sale in small independent retailers, corner shops and petrol stations.

The fake bottles have a number of distinguishing marks, including front and rear labels which are self-adhesive, rather than being glued to the bottle.

In general, the quality of print on the labels is also poor.

In addition, the bottles have a duty stamp which doesn’t light up under an ultra-violet scan and the barcode number – 0123456789 – isn’t valid

Under European Union regulations, genuine vodka must have a minimum of 37.5 per cent alcohol by volume content.

Samples of Drop Vodka have been tested and fall short at just 28.6 per cent.

Two types of bottle are in circulation – one is labelled ‘bottled in Italy’ and the other claims to have been bottled in France.

The labels show no information that indicates where the drink was made and there is no way to trace its origins, making it unsafe for consumption.

If you have been sold Drop Vodka or have any information about this or any other counterfeit product, call Renfrewshire’s environmental services team on 0141 840 3106 or send an e-mail to b-serv.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk