Over 40 counterfeit bottles were discovered in a shop in Coatbridge during an investigation.
Over 40 bottles of fake Glen’s vodka have been recovered from a shop after a customer said the alcohol smelled like “nail varnish remover”.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and North Lanarkshire Council launched an investigation after the counterfeit bottles were discovered in a shop in Coatbridge.
Following a compliant from a consumer who detected a strong odor of nail varnish remover in what was falsely labeled as Glen’s vodka, local environmental health officers have taken action. They tracked down and removed the 35cl bottles from sale and collected samples for testing.
Both the Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and local councils are urging the public to exercise increased caution when buying alcoholic beverages, advising a thorough check of any bottles purchased recently.
“Consuming such counterfeit products poses serious health risks,” stated Ron McNaughton, head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at FSS.
“The labeling, the appearance of the packaging, and the odor can be indicative of an issue.”
“Purchasing counterfeit alcohol leaves you unsure about what ingredients it includes and its potency, which might result in severe illness or intoxication after just a drink or two.”
“Please contact us if you suspect you have purchased counterfeit items.”
Councillor Helen Loughran, chair of the environment and climate change committee at North Lanarkshire Council, stated, “This was an important find by our officers at a store in Coatbridge, who swiftly acted to confiscate the counterfeit items from being sold.”
“Our environmental health and food safety officers remain vigilant to the potential issue of counterfeit alcohol within North Lanarkshire to protect public health.”
Anyone who suspects they have bought counterfeit alcohol should reach out to their local council’s environmental health service or the FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at foodcrime@fss.scot.
Contact North Lanarkshire Council’s environmental health at environmental-health@northlan.gov.uk or call 01236 856361.
For those with information about counterfeit alcohol or related food crimes, please call the free and anonymous Scottish Food Crime Hotline at 0800 028 7926.
Glen’s has been reached for a statement.
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