Warning over fake spirits in harsh times

Licensees have been warned that Trading Standards Officers (TSOs) are carrying out even more more tests on the validity of spirits in the harsh economic climate, following a raft of prosecutions.

One unsuspecting licensee narrowly avoided prosecution for selling substitute Gin. The un-named pub had recently been taken over and a random test by Trading Standards Officers showed gin in a Gordon's bottle to be another, cheaper brand.

The female licensee escaped a fine and criminal record because evidence suggested the switch had occurred two weeks prior to her taking over the pub.

Pontland Social Club, Northumberland had four similar charges brought and held against it under the Food Safety Act for mislabelling spirits.

Club officials claimed a mix-up had occurred when the bottles were loaned out for a private party. They claimed the bottles had returned after being refilled with unspecified vodka and gin during the event. They were fined £2,000.

Among other establishments found guilty of similar offences were the Indiaah Restaurant, Pontyclun — fined over £600 — and the Spicy Bites curry house in Swindon — fined £1000 and ordered to pay £2,500 in court costs.

Philip Scatchard, director of International Federation of Spirit Producers (IFSP) said, in this difficult trading period "TSOs are even more diligent in making sure consumers are served with what they ask for and pay for and that traders do not take an unfair advantage over other pubs, restaurants and bars in their area".

Islington council has also recently prosecuted four off-licenses for selling counterfeit vodka after TSOs were alerted to a bottle of fake Spar Imperial Vodka in August last year. Between them 20 bottles were confiscated and fines of over £6,000 were issued.