The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has identified a small quantity of counterfeit Smirnoff Red Label vodka on the Irish market on sale in the retail and pub sectors. Laboratory analysis for this counterfeit vodka did not detect harmful ingredients but the alcohol content was 32% rather than the 37.5% in the genuine vodka.
How to identify counterfeit bottles:
• Counterfeit product is labelled ‘Produced in Ireland’ - the genuine product states ‘Produced in the United Kingdom’ (However, if people have old product in their house that was purchased over 18 months ago that states 'Produced in Ireland' on the label, it will be legitimate)
• Counterfeit product has an address in Ireland – the genuine product has an address in the UK
• The quality of the printed labels is somewhat inferior on the fake bottles compared to the genuine product
The analysis carried out to date on the counterfeit product has not identified specific food safety hazards. However, the source of the alcohol and where it is being produced/bottled is unknown and there may be contaminants in other batches.
