Authorities in Scotland have issued an urgent warning to consumers following the discovery of counterfeit alcohol products. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and North Lanarkshire Council recently identified 40 bottles of fraudulent vodka, mislabeled as Glen’s, in a Coatbridge shop. The alert came after a concerned member of the public reported that a purchased product emitted an odor resembling nail varnish remover.

Subsequent investigations by the council’s environmental health team and FSS led to the immediate removal of these dangerous bottles from store shelves. Samples have been submitted for detailed analysis to ascertain the precise contents.

Ron McNaughton, head of the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at FSS, highlighted the severe health risks associated with consuming counterfeit alcohol. “The labeling, the look of the packaging, and the smell can suggest something’s not right. When you buy counterfeit alcohol, you have no way of knowing what ingredients it contains and how strong it is, which could lead to serious illness and intoxication following one or two drinks,” he warned.

Consumers suspecting they have purchased fake alcohol are urged to contact their local council’s environmental health service or the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit.

Helen Loughran, representing North Lanarkshire Council, praised the quick actions of officers in Coatbridge, stating: “This was a significant discovery by officers from retail premises in Coatbridge, who acted quickly to remove the fake products from sale. Our environmental health and food safety officers remain vigilant to the potential issue of counterfeit alcohol within North Lanarkshire to protect public health.”

A Wider Problem

This incident is part of a broader issue that spans beyond Scotland. Earlier this year, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) helped dismantle a large-scale smuggling network involving premium vodka and whisky across various continents. Information provided by OLAF led to inspections and the seizure of nearly 400,000 counterfeit bottles valued at approximately €14 million ($15.4 million).

The counterfeit spirits, transshipped via the Caucasus region—which includes Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia—were designed to resemble premium brands, making it difficult for consumers and retailers to distinguish them from authentic products. Ville Itälä, OLAF Director-General, emphasized the dual threat posed by counterfeit alcohol: “Counterfeit alcohol is not only an economic crime but also a serious public health risk. These illicit products often contain harmful substances that can cause severe health issues or even be fatal. We successfully disrupted a sophisticated criminal network and prevented these dangerous products from reaching the public.”

The Global Scale of Counterfeit Alcohol

The problem of counterfeit spirits is significant and widespread. A recently published review in the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists estimates that 25 to 40 percent of all alcoholic spirits consumed globally are counterfeit. These illicit products are responsible for thousands of deaths and injuries each year, due to the ingestion of toxic substances sold as legitimate spirits.

The study calls for a systematic effort to combat the production of counterfeit spirits, advocating for stricter legislation and more significant penalties. Enhanced detection methods are also essential to curtail this dangerous practice.

As counterfeit alcohol continues to pose a serious health threat, consumers are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious products to authorities. By working together, we can protect public health and fight against the insidious spread of counterfeit alcohol.