Food Standards Scotland has issued a public health warning after “potentially harmful” counterfeit bottles of Glen’s vodka were seized by authorities last week.
The counterfeit vodka was being sold in 35cl bottles disguised to look like genuine Glen’s vodka. The fake vodka contained the chemical isopropyl, which could be harmful if consumed, FSS said.
“When opened, the counterfeit vodka may have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka, and therefore should not be drunk,” it warned. “When consumed, even small amounts of isopropyl can be dangerous. Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, confusion, slow breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death.”
Consumers who believed they had drunk the counterfeit vodka should contact the NHS on 111 or, if the symptoms were severe, call 999, FSS said.
It is not the first time counterfeit Glen’s has been discovered in Scotland. In September 2024, FSS issued a warning after fake bottles were found in convenience stores in Glasgow and Lanarkshire.
Genuine bottles of Glen’s vodka can be identified by an etched code on the back label and also have distinctive markings on the base.
Glen’s vodka owner Loch Lomond Group declined to comment
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