Counterfeit alcohol checks

Shropshire Council’s public protection officers have recently carried out an operation to establish if counterfeit alcohol was being sold by retailers in the county. 

The operation comes in response to a number of cases in the UK where counterfeit alcohol has been seized, and has been found to contain high levels of toxic chemicals such as methanol and chloroform.  The consumption of methanol can cause permanent blindness or in extreme cases, death.  The consumption of chloroform, which is a banned cancer-causing chemical, can cause liver and kidney damage.  

The availability of counterfeit alcohol to consumers is a major concern for both trading standards and environmental health officers, as it can pose a very serious risk to human health and harms the business of legitimate retailers. 

Shropshire retailers were visited as part of the operation, and an extensive check was made of their stocks of wines and spirits both on the shelves and in stockrooms.  None of the shops were found to be selling counterfeit alcohol.  All of the premises visited were issued with written advice on how to avoid buying counterfeit alcohol, and how they can report incidents where they are offered suspicious alcohol by someone unknown to them. 

Frances Darling, service manager, safer and stronger communities, for public protection and enforcement, said:

“We are very pleased with the results of this operation.  Counterfeit alcohol can be a very dangerous product, which should not be consumed.  It is a serious public health concern. We do hear horror stories of members of the public drinking counterfeit alcohol with appalling consequences; there are cases where people have lost their sight and some have even lost their lives.  Whilst our main priority is to take steps to stop the sale of counterfeit alcohol, we would like to remind retailers that they could face prosecution if these products are found on their premises.” 

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:

“Everyone wants a bargain, especially in the lead up to Christmas, but the potential health risks far outweigh any financial savings.  Purchasing counterfeit goods of any kind does nothing to help legitimate businesses stay afloat.  Frankly, if the offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is.” 

Public protection and enforcement team strongly encourages traders and consumers to be vigilant when buying alcohol.  They should check for signs that goods may be counterfeit, like unfamiliar brands, low-quality labelling which can include spelling mistakes, differing fill levels in bottles of the same type, liquid with an odour resembling nail varnish, and bottles which look as if they have been opened before. 

If anyone is suspicious about a supplier, or feels that they may have bought a bottle of counterfeit alcohol, do not drink it.  Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06 as a matter of urgency.