Bootleg vodka death warning

Bootleg vodka death warning

Warnings over contaminated bootleg vodka have been stepped up in Oxfordshire after the death of a Scottish woman.

Trading standards officers, who fear the alcohol containing dangerously high levels of methanol may be on sale in the county, are urging drinkers to be on their guard.

An East Lothian woman who became seriously ill after drinking the bootleg vodka has died in hospital. Another woman is still seriously ill.

Nigel Strick, head of trading standards at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "It is clear that there are unscrupulous people selling contaminated spirit which has now tragically claimed a life.

Causes blindness

"We would advise all members of the public to be wary and only purchase their spirit through reputable outlets.

"That bootleg bottle offered to you on the cheap could kill you."

Local investigators have warned that the vodka could be on sale anywhere in the country.

Its high levels of methanol can cause abdominal pain, dizziness, breathing difficulties and blurred vision, which can even lead to blindness.

The batch of contaminated spirit is being sold in clear glass one-litre bottles with a red cap and labelled as being 37.5% proof.

The bottles have the words "Original Vodka Russia Export Quality" written on blue, white and red labels, and on the back have a smaller label containing the words "Vodka Original Russia" and "Made in Belgium".