Seizure of counterfeit vodka

Friday 21 October 2005

Food Alert: for Action

Ref: 60/2005 (59/2005 Scotland)

As a result of an on-going investigation, counterfeit vodka has been discovered following a raid on an illicit distillery in the north of England.

Formal samples of the counterfeit vodka have shown that methanol contamination is not an issue. However, the percentage levels of alcohol found in each product were inaccurate and not that declared on the genuine products.

Products identified include:

Tamova Vodka

• Aldi's own label name and trade mark
• 1L bottles
• No 'Lot' marking
• No back label displayed (on the ones sampled/examined)

Royal Czar Imperial Vodka

• Trade mark owned by Winerite Ltd
• 1L bottles
• No 'Lot' marking
• No back label displayed (on the ones sampled/ examined)

Kommissar Vodka

• Trade mark of Nisa Today chain
• 70cl bottles
• Front & back labels displayed
• No 'Lot' marking
• The corners on the genuine product are squared as opposed to rounded
• A generic lot code has been applied to all of the outer boxes (L413821)

Hanacka Vodka

• Manufactured in Czech Republic, UK representative unknown
• 1L bottles
• No 'Lot' marking
• No back label displayed (on the ones sampled/ examined)
• The counterfeit product has also been found with a gold cap

Labels but no products were also found for:

• Glen's Vodka (Trade mark registered to Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouses)
• Imperial Stag Whiskey (Trade mark of Bestway Cash and Carry Ltd)

Action to be taken by local authorities
The products above do not appear to comply with Section 14 of the Food Safety Act 1990 due to their not being of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the purchaser. Local authorities should be aware of these products during the course of their routine inspections, and should take appropriate actions to seek withdrawal from sale if found.

Distribution of product
Likely distribution of these products has not yet been determined. However reports have been received which indicated that these products are available on sale in pubs and off licences nationwide. It is therefore assumed that the distribution could be widespread.

Pictures of the bottles and labels are available at the link below.