Methanol contamination of Original Vodka Russia Export Quality

Monday 24 March 2003

Category B: 'For Action'

Heads of Environmental Health Services and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware of an incidence of methanol contamination of Original Vodka Russia Export Quality, in East Lothian, Scotland but which may now be available in other areas of the United Kingdom.

On Friday 21st March the Agency issued an advice notice to Local Authorities to warn them to be aware of the product and a developing incident in Scotland, since when the analytical results have been received.

Identification of the Product
Original Vodka Russia Export Quality
1 Litre, Made in Belgium, 37.5% volume

The front label has a coat of arms (Two lions, shield in middle with star and crown)
The back label has a batch code (Lo958) and barcode (5414145035066)

NB: FSA Scotland has advised that although the product label is slightly unclear, the batch code appears to be an upper case 'L' followed by a lower case 'o'.

Symptoms of methanol poisoning include:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision leading to blindness

The symptoms of methanol poisoning can be delayed for several hours so anyone who may have drunk this vodka may not be immediately aware of its dangers.

Actions taken by East Lothian Environmental Health Department /Lothian & Borders Police

Four cases of 12 bottles each have been seized by Lothian & Borders Police from a house in East Lothian. All but two bottles have been accounted for. The bottles are believed to have come from the West Coast of Scotland. Samples have been sent to their Public Analyst and results indicate 5.7% methanol.

European Council regulation 1576/89 lays down no specific limit for methanol in vodka. However, vodka is produced exclusively from ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, for which a methanol limit of 50g per hectolitre of 100% volume alcohol applies. On these grounds, vodka should contain no more than 0.5g methanol per litre of 100% volume alcohol.

Actions taken by the FSA

The Agency will continue to support the police investigation into the illegal source of the product by raising the awareness of its presence in the public domain.

The FSA issued a press release on Friday 21st March (link below).

To date the FSA has no information on the possible distribution of this product, but if further information becomes available, Local Authorities will be advised accordingly.

Action to be taken by Local Authorities:

The product detailed above does not comply with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990 due to contamination with methanol.

Local Authorities should take action to ensure the above product is not available in their areas. If this product is found, enforcement officers should ensure that it is withdrawn from sale and destroyed, if necessary using powers under the Food Safety Act 1990. To give some idea of the distribution of the product, local authorities should notify the Food Incident Branch of any finds of this counterfeit product via the telephone and/or fax numbers below.

Local Authorities may wish to consider the use of local publicity to alert local consumers and traders. Local authorities may wish to use the Agency's press release as a guide as to what to say in any local news release.

It is expected that action by Local Authorities will be initiated as soon as possible after receipt of this food hazard warning.