Shoppers are being warned of the serious health risks of drinking counterfeit alcohol this festive season and being urged to look out for some obvious signs that products aren’t what they might seem.
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and Trading Standards Scotland (TSS) say the sharp rise in food and drink sales over the festive period heightens the risk of illegal and counterfeit alcohol finding its way onto the Scottish market.
The head of FSS’ Scottish Food Crime & Incidents Unit Ron McNaughton says it’s most typically low-to-medium priced, market-leading brands of vodka and wine particularly that are being faked, invariably by producers from outside of Scotland.
Working closely with law enforcement partners from across the UK, McNaughton says there is large-scale national trade in counterfeit products, which often has links to organised crime here and abroad.
Although the taste of the products can seem right, he adds, the contents, strength and quality of such products can present serious, adverse effects on people’s health.
“Drinking these types of cheap products presents a huge risk to health, and in the worst case scenario, counterfeit alcohol can cause death,” says McNaughton.
“The most obvious hint that a product isn’t what it says on the label, is a low price. That should set off an alarm bell immediately for buyers, and they should simply ask themselves ‘why’.
“But the labelling, the look of the packaging, how and where the product is being sold, can also suggest something’s not right.
“Remember, these counterfeiters are most often linked with organised criminals, who are selling these dangerous products solely for an easy profit.
“So, for the sake of saving a few pounds at Christmas, buying counterfeit alcohol is quite simply not worth the risk.”
FSS and TSS are urging everyone to report any products they think could be fake, to the free Scottish Food Crime Hotline (run in partnership with Crimestoppers) on 0800 028 7926 or by using the online webform – Scottish Food Crime Hotline | Crimestoppers (theiline.co.uk).
