Watchdog vetoes test tube alcoholic drinks

Drinks served in test tubes risk being blacklisted by Portman Group, the drinks watchdog has warned.

It comes after alcoholic fruit drink Mmwah!, which comes in test tubes, was ruled to be in breach of Portman's code for drinks producers by the group's Independent Complaints Panel (ICP). Licensees are asked not to stock the product after 22 December.

The IPC ruled that the container could not easily be put down on a flat surface, meaning consumers were likely to drink it in one go.

Alcohol Focus Scotland made the complaint that triggered the ruling and has now lodged complaints against four other companies.

Portman chief executive David Poley said: "The panel considered the design of Mmwah!'s packaging made it difficult for consumers not to down the drink.

"The industry shouldn't be urging this potentially harmful style of consumption. The panel will clarify the position on other test-tube products as soon as possible."

The ICP ruled that images of pink lips and garish colours on the packaging of Mmwah! would appeal to under-18s, and the product and its promotion encouraged excessive consumption.