A quantity of fake Smirnoff Red Label Vodka has been discovered for sale. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) says it has identified a small quantity of counterfeit one litre bottles of the vodka.
It comes after information provided to the FSAI from the Food Standards Agency in the UK. A similar operation is underway in Britain where an investigation is on-going into counterfeit alcohol.
The FSAI says laboratory testing for the Irish counterfeit vodka did not detect harmful ingredients. But the alcohol content was 32% rather than the 37.5% in the genuine item.
It also says the source of the alcohol is unknown and that there may be contaminants in other batches.
The Authority is advising consumers and food businesses to be vigilant when buying this product and if they have any doubt about its authenticity not to purchase or consume it.
Authentic bottles say 'Produced in the United Kingdom'
CEO of the FSAI Professor Alan Reilly said is advising against anyone consuming it.
"Given we have no information as to when or where this alcohol originates from, it would be unwise for anyone to drink it. The counterfeit vodka was found on sale in the retail and pub sectors. Food businesses should only source stock from registered distributors and wholesalers, as it is their legal responsibility to ensure the food and drink they are selling complies with all food safety and tractability requirements" he said.
Authentic bottles have a UK postal address
The FSAI says it has contacted food business outlets selling the alcohol to alert them and make sure the it is removed from sale.
It says the product had a number of discrepancies to an authentic bottle:
- Counterfeit product is labelled 'Produced in Ireland' - the genuine product states 'Produced in the United Kingdom' (However, if people have old product in their house that was purchased over 18 months ago that states 'Produced in Ireland' on the label, it will be legitimate)
- Counterfeit product has an address in Ireland - the genuine product has an address in the UK
- The quality of the printed labels is somewhat inferior on the fake bottles compared to the genuine product
