Cllr Pat Corfield with some of the counterfeit bottles
Cllr Pat Corfield with some of the counterfeit bottles

Counterfeit spirits and wines which could cause serious harm to health or even death have been seized from shops across Staffordshire.

Staffordshire County Council’s public protection team has made five seizures of counterfeit alcohol in the last two months.

Cllr Pat Corfield with some of the counterfeit bottles
Cllr Pat Corfield with some of the counterfeit bottles

The latest fake find was bottles of Arctic Ice vodka containing methanol – potentially lethal if consumed and which can cause blindness – in addition to chloroform and isopropanol, which are both commonly used in cleaning products.

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for communities, culture and customers Pat Corfield said:

“Counterfeit alcohol is unfortunately becoming more prominent and Staffordshire is no exception. One of the county council’s main priorities is protecting the health and wellbeing of its residents and also legitimate business and our economy.

“Consuming counterfeit alcohol can be lethal and people need to be extra vigilant when making a purchase. The criminal gangs producing it are also profiting from legitimate businesses and damaging our economy.

“People should contact our public protection team if they suspect vodka or any other alcoholic drink may be counterfeit.”

Counterfeit bottles of Glen’s vodka which were found to have high levels of alcohol and methanol were also seized along with fake bottles of Blossom Hill wine.

The county council’s public protection team can be contacted on 0300 111 8000.

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