Warning over contaminated vodka

The counterfeit bottle (left) is very similar to the authentic bottle (right)

Drinkers in Stirling are being warned to be on the lookout for fake vodka containing potentially harmful levels of methanol.

Trading standards officers in the city are hoping to raise awareness after counterfeit bottles of Spar Imperial vodka were found in shops in England.

Fears are being raised that the fake vodka may be making its way north.

Experts have warned the high levels of methanol in the bottles can cause serious illnesses and blindness.

Brian Wilson, trading standards officer with Stirling Council, said: "It should be noted that no counterfeit bottles have been found in Spar stores and there are no concerns associated with authentic bottles of Spar Imperial Vodka.

"Thankfully no cases of ill health associated with this counterfeit vodka have currently been reported.

"An excessive intake of methanol can cause methanol poisoning and the effects include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness and dizziness, blurred vision leading to blindness, and breathing difficulties."

Legitimate stock

The organisation warned that the only legitimate route of purchase for Spar Own Label 70cl is via a Spar store and that any Spar vodka offered for sale via any other means should be deemed suspect.

Mr Wilson said the counterfeit bottles had an acetone smell, similar to nail varnish, when opened.

They also featured the code QI:1445c and a smudged inkjet code reading that looks like 102234 04/08/02.

He added that there was no lot code present on the neck of the counterfeit bottles, whereas lot codes are present on all legitimate stock.

Bottles of the fake vodka have already been found in shops in Bristol and Cambridgeshire.

The alarm was raised following the arrest of a 19-year-old man in Newcastle earlier this month when 180 bottles were seized.