Fake vodka found on sale in Hull

The fake vodka could contain industrial strength alcohol which can be lethal.

Image: Hull City Council

A fake vodka, called Radanoff, has been found on sale in Hull, as reported by Hull Live.

Hull City Council has warned residents of the dangers of buying fake alcohol in a tweet: “Warning: if you spot ‘Radanoff’ vodka for sale, do not buy or drink it. Radanoff is a fake brand seized recently in Hull. It could contain industrial alcohol which can cause blindness or death.”

The Local Government Association (LGA) has also issued a warning against fake alcohol, after bottles of the fake vodka have been found to contain industrial strength levels of alcohol which can lead to “vomiting, permanent blindness, kidney or liver problems, and in extreme cases, death.”

The bottles on sale do not have a custom duty stamp, and the barcode doesn’t link to a real product. Authorities have also urged drinkers to keep an eye out for fake alcohol by checking the bottle for spelling mistakes and unscrewed caps, and to question prices that are too cheap. They have also stated that fake vodka can smell like nail varnish.

Those who have consumed fake alcohol have been urged to seek medial treatment and to report the incident to an environmental health officer.

Fake alcohol has economic consequences too, as it is thought that the fraud costs the UK £1 billion a year. The fake brands undercut legitimate alcohol companies by avoiding paying tax.