Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service

FAKE  SCOTCH WHISKY CONTAMINATED WITH METHANOL

Trading Standards and Environmental Health Officers today warn the public of harmful levels of Methanol found in a counterfeit Scotch Whisky product sold in bottles and packaging intended to be mistaken for genuine Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky.

The fake product was originally found in Hackney, East London but further supplies have been discovered in Newham, Lambeth, Stoke Newington and Wolverhampton. This has resulted in a Food Hazard Warning from the Food Standards Agency. As a precautionary measure West Yorkshire Trading Standards Officers are now liaising with district Environmental Health Departments to check outlets in West Yorkshire.

The public should be aware that the counterfeit product can easily be distinguished from genuine Johnnie Walker Black Label and that genuine Johnnie Walker product is completely unaffected.

On counterfeit product:

• The rear label is printed in Spanish
• The fake lot code L04P24878342 appears on the rear of the front, centre label
• ‘Distilleries’ and not ‘Distillers’ is printed on the Royal Warrant and
• There is no ‘e’ mark on the base of the bottle.

Any retailer or member of the public who has purchased this product or suspects it is on sale should contact West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service or their district Environmental Health Department immediately. Under no circumstances should suspect product be consumed.

Martin Wood, Chief Officer of West Yorkshire Joint Services commented: “This Service urges the public to be vigilant and only purchase goods from reputable outlets. Those who risk prosecution by trading in illegal counterfeit products have no regard for public health or the legitimate business interests they undermine.”

If consumers do have any concerns they should contact the Consumer Helpline on 01133 848 848 between 8.30-6.30 Monday to Friday and 9.00-1.00 on Saturdays. Alternatively log on to our website at www.adviceline.org.uk or contact our minicom on 0113 2892 265.

For further information please contact:

Graham Hebblethwaite           Divisional Manager / General Media Contact 0113 2898218

Andrew Bibby                           Principal Trading Standards Officer 0113 2898237

Steve Kaye                               Principal Trading Standards Officer 0113 2898229