Trading Standards officers across London are warning consumers of non-Spar stores selling counterfeit Spar branded vodka which, if consumed, can pose a health risk.
Acting on a tip-off, Islington Council Trading Standards officers last week seized six bottles of apparently counterfeit vodka from a local store. Officers found suspected counterfeit vodka in a second store following a series of visits to local retailers.
Counterfeit bottles have also been found in the North of England and the Food Standards Agency is warning that the vodka contains excessive levels of methanol which is very dangerous and may have serious health implications, and should not be consumed.
Spar the Agency that the only legitimate route of purchase for their own label products is a Spar store and if offered for sale via any other means would be deemed suspect.
Since 1st of August a number of local authorities including Essex County Council, London Borough of Waltham Forest and London Borough of Islington have reported seizures of the counterfeit product.
Food Standards Agency on how to identify the counterfeit vodka:
The counterfeit SPAR Imperial Vodka has a hint of acetone smell (similar to nail varnish).
Bottles of the counterfeit samples are identified by the code QI:1445c and a smudged inkjet code reading that looks like 102234 04/08/02.
Legitimate bottles are 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.
Members of the public are advised to report any counterfeit Spar
Imperial Vodka to their trading standards service at their local
authority.
