Black Widow
08-23-2008, 01:01 AM
Police and food safety experts are warning the public to watch out for bottles of fake vodka which have been found to contain potentially harmful levels of methanol.
The counterfeit vodka has a hint of acetone smell, similar to nail varnish, the Food Standards Agency said.
Methanol is normally found in vodka at very low levels but higher levels can cause serious health effects.
Poisoning can lead to nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness and dizziness, blurred vision leading to blindness, and breathing difficulties.
Symptoms of the poisoning can take several hours to develop.
Anyone who thinks they may have drunk the counterfeit product should seek immediate medical advice, said the Food Standards Agency said.
The investigations began after the own-brand vodka was found on sale in a shop that was not part of the Spar chain, the Food Standards Agency said.
So far, there have been no cases of ill health reported in connection with the Vodka.
The authentic own-brand Spar Imperial vodka, only sold in Spar stores, is uncontaminated.
The FSA urged the public to report any counterfeit vodka to their trading standards service at their local authority.
Northumbria Police seized bottles of the counterfeit vodka from a van stopped on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne earlier in the month.
The 19-year-old male driver was arrested and has been bailed pending further
inquiries.
sky news
The counterfeit vodka has a hint of acetone smell, similar to nail varnish, the Food Standards Agency said.
Methanol is normally found in vodka at very low levels but higher levels can cause serious health effects.
Poisoning can lead to nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, drowsiness and dizziness, blurred vision leading to blindness, and breathing difficulties.
Symptoms of the poisoning can take several hours to develop.
Anyone who thinks they may have drunk the counterfeit product should seek immediate medical advice, said the Food Standards Agency said.
The investigations began after the own-brand vodka was found on sale in a shop that was not part of the Spar chain, the Food Standards Agency said.
So far, there have been no cases of ill health reported in connection with the Vodka.
The authentic own-brand Spar Imperial vodka, only sold in Spar stores, is uncontaminated.
The FSA urged the public to report any counterfeit vodka to their trading standards service at their local authority.
Northumbria Police seized bottles of the counterfeit vodka from a van stopped on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne earlier in the month.
The 19-year-old male driver was arrested and has been bailed pending further
inquiries.
sky news