Excessive levels of methanol in counterfeit Spar-brand Imperial Vodka
Friday 22 August 2008
Food Alert: for Action
Ref: 43/2008
Counterfeit Spar-brand Imperial vodka 70cl has been discovered, which contains excessive levels of methanol. So far, counterfeit bottles have been found in Northumberland and North London areas.
As the levels of methanol found in counterfeit Spar-brand Imperial vodka could potentially cause a health risk, this makes the products unsafe for consumption under Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002.
Spar (UK) Ltd, the distributor of genuine Spar-brand Imperial vodka, has advised the Food Standards Agency that the product found is not genuine. Likely distribution of this product has not yet been determined, however a report has been received that this product was available on sale in an independent non-Spar retail outlet.
Spar-brand Imperial vodka sold in Spar (UK) Ltd stores is not affected. If further information on distribution becomes available, local authorities will be advised accordingly.
Identification
Details of the product
Imperial Vodka, 70cl
Specially Selected by Spar
Pure and Smooth
Triple distilled
Label
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.
Bottle
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 used in the genuine process are Rockware glass bottles notated by the following: 700ml66mm followed by two symbols and then the numbers 8809. There is no lot code present on the neck of the counterfeit bottle samples, whereas lot codes are present on all legitimate stock.
To assist local authorities in correct identification of this product, the photographs, which can be found at the link below, show the genuine bottles (on the right) alongside the counterfeits.
Action to be taken by local authorities
The product detailed above does not comply with the food safety requirements specified in Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 due to excessive levels of methanol.
Local authorities are requested to identify and make contact with relevant retailers in their district to make them aware of this issue. If this product is found during the course of their routine inspections, enforcement officers should ensure that it is withdrawn from sale and destroyed, if necessary using powers under the Food Safety Act 1990.
Local authorities are advised to report any finding of counterfeit Spar-brand Imperial vodka by sending a completed Intelligence Report Form to the Agency's dedicated food fraud mailbox at foodfraud@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk. Intelligence Report Forms can be downloaded via the link below.
Local authorities may wish to consider the use of local publicity, where appropriate.
Related links
(pdf 312KB)