Methanol contamination of a spirit and counterfeit spirit labels

Friday 7 March 2003

Category B: For Action

Heads of Environmental Health Services and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware of a further incidence of methanol contamination of counterfeit spirits, and a find of counterfeit spirit labels, following a discovery in the Berkshire area, but which may now be available in other parts of the country.

Symptoms of methanol poisoning include:

Severe abdominal pain
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Blurred vision leading to blindness
Coma with breathing difficulties

The symptoms of methanol poisoning can be delayed for several hours so anyone who may have drunk any of these spirits may not immediately be aware of the dangers.

Identification of the Products

Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky

Brand Name: Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky

Markings: Counterfeit bottles with Spanish language rear labels and a fake lot code ‘L04P24878342’ printed on the rear of the front centre label. The counterfeit bottles have no ‘E mark’ on their base between ‘700ml and 73mm’.

This is the same label as that in Food Hazard Warning 24/2002 of 5 November 2002 except that there is no neck label on this occasion.

Test results have shown that this product is contaminated with methanol that could present a risk to health.

In addition to the above, labels for another spirit were found at the premises. Whilst no bottles of that product with those labels on were discovered (and so consequently there are no test results available), the circumstances surrounding their discovery were suspicious and it is possible that there may be contaminated product bearing these labels on the market. These label details are as below.

Highland Pride Finest Scotch Whisky

Highland Pride Finest Scotch Whisky Produced And Bottled In Scotland

1 L 40% vol.

The difference between this label and the genuine product is as below.

Front Label

Genuine has 1 litre whereas the counterfeit has 1 L
Genuine has 43%Vol. whereas counterfeit has 40% vol.
Genuine has small numbers on the right hand side of the label whereas the counterfeit has small numbers on both sides.
Genuine states 'BOTTLED IN SCOTLAND' whereas the counterfeit states 'PRODUCED AND BOTTLED IN SCOTLAND'

Back Label

Genuine has 'HIGHLAND PRIDE' on one line whereas the counterfeit has it on two lines.
Genuine does not have a line between Highland Pride and Finest Scotch Whisky whereas the counterfeit does.
Genuine has bar code 5011311023645 whereas the counterfeit bar code is 5011311221171.
Genuine does not have a recycle sign whereas the counterfeit does.
Genuine states 1 LITRE 43 on the bottom right hand side whereas the counterfeit states 1L on the left hand side and 40%vol on the right.

In addition, if the labels are self adhesive then they are counterfeit as genuine labels are not self adhesive.

Further assistance in identifying the above two products can be obtained from photographs below. Local authorities are strongly recommended to refer to these.

Action taken by the Food Standards Agency

The FSA is working with the relevant local authority and other organisations to try and establish the source of the spirits.

The FSA has issued a press release and Q & A briefing today that can be found on the web site along with photographs.

It is possible that there may be further food hazard warnings as a result of the find in Berkshire.

Action to be taken by local authorities:

The Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky listed 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 that the product listed above is not available within their area. If any of the 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.

In addition, should local authorities discover during the course of their investigations any products with the above counterfeit Highland Pride Finest Scotch Whisky label on, they should:

1. Detain them and take formal samples to be tested for methanol contamination at their Public Analyst. If these results indicate methanol contamination, local authorities should inform the FSA who will take action to ensure that this product is withdrawn from sale.

2. To give some idea of the distribution of the product, inform the Food Incident Branch of any finds of counterfeit Highland Pride Finest Scotch Whisky. These reports should be made via the telephone and/or fax numbers below.

Local authorities are also asked to consider providing local publicity to this issue to alert local consumers and traders. Local authorities may wish to use the FSA'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.