Latest news with #FoodStandardsScotland
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Scotsman
West Lothian residents warned to be vigilant after counterfeit Glen's vodka seized
West Lothian Council is urging residents to be cautious after reports of counterfeit vodka in circulation. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The council's environmental health team are now carrying out spot checks on local businesses this week after counterfeit vodka was seized last week in another local authority area. There are no known cases in West Lothian but the council said it is taking proactive measures to warn residents of the counterfeit product that contains the harmful chemical isopropyl. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The recovered counterfeit vodka was sold in 35cl bottles and was fraudulently labelled as Glen's. On July 25, Food Standards Scotland issued a public health alert, advising people to look out for vodka with a strange smell, an unusual taste, and to check the laser etched code on the bottle. The recovered counterfeit vodka was sold in 35cl bottles and was fraudulently labelled as Glen's Symptoms of isopropyl alcohol poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, confusion, slow breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death. Food Standards Scotland said: 'The scale of distribution of the counterfeit product is still unknown so if you believe you may have consumed alcohol that has a strong smell and a very different taste to normal and are showing any of the symptoms described, please contact the NHS 24 on 111 immediately. If you have severe symptoms, call 999.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: 'Following a national alert from Food Standards Scotland regarding counterfeit Glens Vodka being sold in Scotland, additional proactive checks on businesses will be carried out from this week. Environmental Health Officers are reminding members of the public to be vigilant if purchasing this product and have shared advice on what to look out for.' How to spot a fake The public should check for a laser etched lot code applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle. A genuine bottle of Glen's vodka will also have three markings on the base of the bottle – two of which will not vary in position or detail | Food Standards Scotland/Brapps, flickr Every genuine bottle of Glen's vodka has a laser etched lot code applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle. They will also have markings on the base of the bottle and the public should make sure to check for these. If you believe you may have purchased this counterfeit vodka by detecting a strong smell or taste that is different from normal, you should not drink it or dispose of it, and instead contact the environmentalhealth@ team who will provide further advice and assistance. You can also contact the FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit at foodcrime@ for further advice.
Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Fife based business recalling jam after allergy declaration
A popular Fife based preserve company is recalling some of its jams due to an undeclared allergen. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Sarah Gray's branded Raspberry and Prosecco Jam and Strawberry and Champagne Jam is being recalled due to containing sulphites, which is not mentioned on the label. According to Food Standards Scotland, various sizes and makes of the jam are being recalled as the products contain sulphites making them a possible health risk for anyone with a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide or sulphites. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A product recall has been issued | - Advice to consumers if they have bought these products is to not eat them and return them to the store at which they were purchased for a full refund. The list of recalls are as follows: Sarah Gray's Raspberry and Prosecco Jam, 330g, all dates up to and including 07 October 2026 Sarah Gray's Strawberry and Champagne Jam, 330g, all dates up to and including 18 September 2026 Sarah Gray's McCoo Preserves Strawberry and Champagne Jam, 330g, all dates up to and including 18 September 2026 Sarah Gray's McCoo Preserves Raspberry and Prosecco Jam, 330g, all dates up to and including 07 October 2026 Sarah Gray's McCoo Preserves Raspberry and Prosecco Jam, 125g, all dates up to and including 07 October 2026 Sarah Gray's McCoo Preserves Strawberry and Champagne Jam, 125g, all dates up to and including 18 September 2026 Sarah Gray's Steven Brown preserves McCoo Three Jar Gift Set, 375g, all dates up to and including 07 October 2026 Royal Yacht Britannia Strawberry and Champagne Jam, 330g, all dates up to and including 18 September 2026 Royal Yacht Britannia Strawberry and Champagne Jam,35g, all dates up to and including 18 September 2026 House of Bruar Raspberry and Prosecco Jam, 330g, all dates up to and including 07 October 2026 House of Bruar Raspberry and Prosecco Jam, 45g, all dates up to and including 07 October 2026 House of Bruar Strawberry and Champagne Jam, 330g, all dates up to and including 18 September 2026 House of Bruar Strawberry and Champagne Jam, 45g, all dates up to and including 18 September 2026 Elie Deli Raspberry and Prosecco Jam, 330g, all dates up to and including 07 October 2026
The National
4 days ago
- Health
- The National
Scots warned over fake Glen's Vodka containing lethal chemical
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) said it had found 35cl counterfeit half bottles which have been fraudulently labelled as Glen's Vodka. The fake vodka was tested and found to contain the chemical isopropyl, which is not intended for human consumption. READ MORE: 'He belongs in The Hague': Keir Starmer fiercely criticised over Gaza speech If ingested, symptoms can range from abdominal pain, vomiting, and dizziness, to slow breathing, coma, and even death, the FSS has warned. The agency added that the fake spirit would have a strange smell and that it would taste different from genuine vodka. Customers have been asked to be extra vigilant when purchasing the spirit by the FSS. Scots are also being urged to check for a laser-etched lotcode, which is applied to genuine Glen's vodka between the rear label and the base of the bottle. (Image: Food Standards Scotland) Anyone who believes they may have consumed counterfeit alcohol and/or are showing any symptoms have been asked to immediately contact NHS 24 on 111. Anyone with information on the manufacture or sale of counterfeit alcohol is asked to contact the Scottish Food Crime Hotline on 0800 028 7926 or online, in partnership with [[Crime]]stoppers.
Metro
4 days ago
- Health
- Metro
Health warning over counterfeit vodka made with medical-grade alcohol
Health officials in Scotland have warned fans of Glen's vodka to keep an eye out for fake half bottles containing medical disinfectant. Scammers have hijacked the popular brand to sell counterfeit products containing the chemical isopropyl, which is typically used in hospital settings or in hand sanitiser. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) say the fake booze will smell and taste 'very different' to the Glen's product people recognise. Even small amounts of isopropyl can result in abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness and headaches, they warned. Severe cases can leave drinkers in a coma or even dead. Genuine bottles of Glen's have a laser-etched code between the rear label and the base of the bottle which the fake bottles will not. More Trending Anyone concerned they might have drunk the counterfeit vodka, and who is experiencing symptoms, is urged to contact NHS 24 on 111 immediately. Glen's, one of the cheaper brands of vodka on the market, is a popular target for scammers. FSS has previously sent investigators to seize dozens of bottles of fake spirit using the same label from a shop in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire. And in September last year, the UK-wide Food Standards Agency sent out a warning about another fraud involving isopropyl alcohol in Glen's bottles. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The one drink you should never order from a restaurant wine list MORE: How a generation-bending TikTok campaign saved a local boozer MORE: Forget about Prosecco — drink this £6.97 sparkling wine from Asda instead
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow warned after deadly counterfeit vodka discovered
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) shared the public health notice after officers seized this week, which confirmed the presence of the chemical isopropyl, a substance which can be harmful if consumed. Even in small amounts, isopropyl can be dangerous. Symptoms of poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, confusion, slow breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death. It was sold in 35cl bottles (commonly known as half bottles) and fraudulently labelled as Glen's. The office warned that, when opened, the counterfeit liquor may have a strange smell and taste differently from genuine vodka, and therefore should not be drunk. READ NEXT: How to spot deadly fake 'Glen's' vodka found in Glasgow shops (Image: Supplied) Glasgow warned after deadly counterfeit vodka discovered (Image: Supplied) They reminded buyers: "Every genuine bottle of Glen's vodka has a laser etched lot code applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle. "They will also have the following markings on the base of the bottle - the highlighted three identifiers will not vary (position or detail)." The scale of distribution of counterfeit products is still unknown and officers noted that if you believe you may have consumed alcohol that has a strong smell and a very different taste to normal and are showing any of the symptoms described, please contact the NHS 24 on 111 immediately. If you have severe symptoms, call 999. If you believe you may have purchased this counterfeit vodka by detecting a strong smell or taste that is different from normal, do not drink it or dispose of it, but please contact FSS Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit – foodcrime@ – for further advice. Alternatively, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 028 7926 or online, if you have any information on this counterfeit alcohol.
