The public are being warned about counterfeit bottles of Glen’s Vodka that have been discovered to contain an industrial solvent potentially fatal in severe cases.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has reported that some 35cl bottles, which are counterfeit, have been detected with isopropyl alcohol, a substance not safe for consumption.

These counterfeit vodka bottles may exhibit an unusual odor and taste dissimilar to authentic vodka, according to the FSA.

This alert follows a recent warning from Food Standards Scotland that counterfeit Glen’s Vodka had been identified in convenience stores across Glasgow and Lanarkshire.

In a statement, the FSA – which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland – said it “has been made aware of the production and distribution of counterfeit vodka labelled as Glen’s Vodka”.

“Products sampled were found to contain isopropyl alcohol, so they are unsafe. Isopropyl alcohol is an industrial solvent and is not intended for human consumption,” it said.

Drinking the solvent “can quickly lead to alcohol poisoning and in severe cases death”, the FSA said.

It advises consumers to check for a “laser etched lot code applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle”.

The FSA mentions that isopropyl possesses “a strong odour and it may be possible to detect contaminated products by smell alone”.

“If the vodka emits a strong odor, do not consume it. Instead, store it in a safe location and inform your local authority for further instructions and advice,” the agency advised.

Following the warning issued by the FSS in Scotland on Tuesday, a representative for the Loch Lomond Group, which owns Glen’s Vodka, stated: “Our priority is the health and safety of the public, which includes our many thousands of loyal Glen’s customers.

“We are diligently working with the commendable efforts of Food Standards Scotland and other involved authorities to resolve the issue promptly.”