Devon County Council

devon.gov.uk

From Michaila Hill, Exeter 382535, August 22,2008

DEVON'S Trading Standards Service has issued a warning to consumers and businesses concerning a contaminated batch of counterfeit 'SPAR Imperial Vodka', discovered in Northumberland and London. The advice is to avoid the bottles, which are easily identifiable, however tempting the cost of the product appears to be.

The contaminated bottles of 'SPAR Imperial Vodka' contain dangerous levels of methanol, which can cause permanent blindness. Testing has shown that it is only 31% alcohol rather than the 37.5% declared the bottles are the standard 70cl size.

The easiest way to identify them is that the genuine Imperial Vodka is only available from SPAR (UK) Ltd stores.

The counterfeit SPAR Imperial Vodka has a hint of acetone smell (similar to nail varnish).

Bottles of the counterfeit samples are identified by the code QI:1445c and a smudged inkjet code reading that looks like 102234 04/08/02.

There is no lot code present on the neck of the counterfeit bottle.

Bottles may turn up at car boot sales or other outlets.

If anyone sees these spirits for sale, or has already purchased a bottle, they are asked to contact the Trading Standards Service immediately on 01392 381381.

Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 provides free consumer advice. This service is provided by Consumer Direct in partnership with Devon County Council.

Advice can also be found at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS

Spar Imperial Vodka:

There have been a number of other alerts recently concerning methanol in spirits, 2 relating to vodkas and 2 concerning whisky.

For further information see the Food Standards Agency website http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/aug/vodka

Effects of methanol poisoning can be delayed for several hours and anyone who thinks they may have drunk this product should seek immediate medical advice.

The symptoms of methanol poisoning include abdominal pain, drowsiness and dizziness, the levels found could have serious health effects, including blindness and breathing difficulties.

Identification of the product

Brand name: Spar Imperial Vodka.

The counterfeit SPAR Imperial Vodka has a hint of acetone smell (similar to nail varnish).

Bottles of the counterfeit samples are identified by the code QI:1445c and a smudged inkjet code reading that looks like 102234 04/08/02.

There is no lot code present on the neck of the counterfeit bottle samples.

Bottles of the counterfeit samples are Quinn Glass and identified by the code QI:1445c and a smudged inkjet code reading which looks like 102234 04/08/02.

Legitimate bottles are identified by the following:

700ml66mm followed by two symbols and then the numbers 8809.

Lot codes are present on all legitimate stock.

The label is a copy of an old, pre-2007 version of SPAR 70cl Vodka. The main distinctive marks are that the duty stamp is incorrect and does not fluoresce under UV light. The body of the text is blurred in places, particularly around back label text, and images have some blur.

Legitimate bottles used process are Rockware glass bottles notated by the following: 700ml66mm followed by two symbols and then the numbers 8809.

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