The Food Standards Agency 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 in the following link to assist consumers and businesses identify affected vodka: https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/fsa-alerts-files/production/FSA-FAFA-03-2024/Consumer-and-Food-Business-notice-Glens-Vodka.pdf If you have bought any Glen’s vodka that has either has no laser etched lot code applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle as indicated in the images below. Please be aware IPA has a strong odour and it may be possible to detect contaminated products by smell alone. If the vodka has a strong smell, do not consume 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.
Last month Suffolk Trading Standards officers seized over 300 illegal vapes and over 100 packets of illegal tobacco from stores in Haverhill and Sudbury. In Haverhill officers seized 89 illegal vapes, 144 packets of illegal cigarettes and 16 packs of illegal hand-rolling tobacco, from one retailer. From one Sudbury shop, officers seized 217 illegal vapes. All vape products seized did not meet the legal requirements, including oversized tanks. All the tobacco products are suspected to be illegally imported into the UK without duty being paid and do not comply with the legal packaging and labelling requirements. Several of them are also suspected to be counterfeits of popular brands. The seized products will now be fully assessed as part of the investigations to determine the exact offences that have been committed, and the action that will be taken. Anyone who suspects that a shop is selling illegal tobacco or unsafe e-cigarettes and vaping liquids, or making sales of age-restricted products to children can report this in confidence to Suffolk Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. Traders are reminded that single-use vapes must be registered with the MHRA (Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) and contain no more than 2ml of nicotine containing liquid at a strength of no more than 2mg/ml. Additionally, illegal vapes are not likely to have undergone any safety assessments to ensure they are safe for consumers to use. For those looking to stop smoking in Suffolk, seeking support is crucial. Suffolk's Feel Good Suffolk service (https://feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/make-a-referral/), 'Feel Good Suffolk' offers resources and assistance to individuals looking to kick the habit. Taking the first step towards quitting can be daunting, but it's essential to prioritise your health and well-being. While vaping may appear to be a better option than smoking traditional cigarettes, it still carries significant health risks that should not be overlooked. Seeking support from organisations like Feel Good Suffolk can provide the necessary assistance and resources to break free from smoking habits and embark on a healthier lifestyle.