AN ILLEGAL and potentially harmful brand of vodka that could possibly damage people’s sight has infiltrated the market and has been found in shops in East Barnet and Mill Hill.

The borough is one of a number of areas in the country where the fake vodka has been discovered on sale and the Food Standards Agency is now warning consumers not to drink the illegal spirit called Drop Vodka.

Tests have been undertaken by other local authorities where the spirit has been seized identifying the presence of methanol in the vodka, which is a toxin known to damage sight. The industrial solvent and sanitiser Propan-2-ol, which can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, memory loss and, in extreme cases, coma, was also found during the tests.

Other tests have found that the product does not contain enough alcohol to be called vodka – legally it should contain no less than 37.5 per cent alcohol but the samples taken detected levels of only 28.6 per cent alcohol.

David Longstaff, Barnet Council’s cabinet member for safety and resident engagement, said: “I would urge residents to heed the warning from the FSA not to purchase Drop Vodka and if they do see it on sale in the borough to contact the council’s environmental health team as soon as possible.”

The spirit appeared on the market from an unknown source and the manufacturer’s name and address do not appear on the bottle. The print quality of the labels is also generally poor and states that the spirit has been bottled in either France or Italy.

Businesses are being asked to take the product off the shelves and contact the council if they are approached by anyone trying to supply it to them.

Consumers who have bought or seen Drop Vodka on sale in the borough are also asked to contact the team on 020 8359 7995 or by emailing [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Barnet Press