Can YOU spot the difference?

One can cause nausea, shock, kidney failure, blindness, coma and even death..... the other is a bottle of vodka.

This is the warning being issued by the Food Standards Agency to shop owners and consumers about counterfeit SPAR Imperial Vodka that could be on sale across the county.

Bottles of the counterfeit SPAR Imperial Vodka have been found in London, Essex, Yorkshire, Merseyside and Wales and the Food Standards Agency has warned the circulation of the counterfeit vodka may have reached Kent.

The Spar brand of Vodka, known as ‘Imperial’ does not bear the name ‘Spar’ on the label and the legitimate product is on sale in Spar shops only. The counterfeit vodka is being sold only in non-Spar shops.

The counterfeit vodka contains potentially harmful levels of methanol, which is normally found in vodka at very low levels. But the levels recorded in the counterfeit vodka could have serious health effects, including blindness and even death if consumed in large quantities. No cases of ill health associated with this counterfeit vodka have been reported at this stage.

How to identify the counterfeit vodka

• The counterfeit SPAR Imperial Vodka has a hint of acetone smell (similar to nail varnish).

• Bottles of the counterfeit samples are identified by the code QI:1445c and a smudged inkjet code reading that looks like 102234 04/08/02.

• Legitimate bottles are notated by the following: -

• 700ml66mm followed by two symbols and then the numbers 8809

•There is no lot code present on the neck of the counterfeit bottle samples, whereas lot codes are present on all legitimate stock.

Members of the public are asked to report any counterfeit SPAR Imperial Vodka to their trading standards service at their local authority. or email foodfraud@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

What is methanol?

Methanol is a clear colourless flammable liquid with a slightly alcoholic smell.

Historically it was made by distilling wood and was therefore has been called 'wood alcohol'

It is commonly used to make paints, solvents, vanishes, paint thinners and certain cleaning solutions such as windscreen wash as well as anti-freeze

It is mixed with ethanol (alcohol) to make methylated spirits or meths