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Food Alert

Food Alert For Action: Consumers and Food Businesses who have purchased Glen’s Vodka (35cl)

Last updated: 6 September 2024
Last updated: 6 September 2024

The FSA has been made aware of the production and distribution of counterfeit vodka labelled as Glen’s Vodka. The counterfeit vodka may have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka.

Products sampled were found to contain isopropyl alcohol, so they are unsafe. Isopropyl alcohol is an industrial solvent and is not intended for human consumption. Consumption of isopropyl alcohol can quickly lead to alcohol poisoning, and in severe cases death.

Information is provided below to help consumers and businesses identify affected vodka. The FSA has today issued a food alert for action notice to local authorities, requesting them to identify and visit relevant establishments in their area to check for counterfeit products and make businesses aware of the issue.

Product details

Glen’s vodka
Pack size 35cl

Risk statement

Isopropyl alcohol is toxic and not suitable for human consumption.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, intoxication, respiratory depression and coma. Cardiovascular collapse is also possible. Anyone with symptoms should seek medical attention.

Our advice to consumers

If you see any Glen’s vodka that has no laser etched lot code applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle as indicated in the PDF attachment above do not buy it.

Vodka contaminated by isopropyl alcohol has a strong odour so if the vodka smells differently do not drink it.

Instead, store it in a safe place and report it to your Local Authority for further instruction and advice. If anyone has any information on the manufacture or sale of counterfeit alcohol, then please contact our freephone confidential National Food Crime Unit hotline: 0800 028 1180.

About product recalls and withdrawals

If there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be 'withdrawn' (taken off the shelves) or 'recalled' (when customers are asked to return the product). The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. In some cases, a 'Food Alert for Action' is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.

Ref: FSA-FAFA-03-2024