Antifreeze-laced vodka seized in Fife

Bottles of vodka laced with a potentially lethal antifreeze ingredient have been seized from a shop and pub in the Scottish region of Fife.

As reported by The Sun, the seized bottles of counterfeit Smirnoff are thought to contain isopropanol, used in anti-freeze, which can lead to blindness if consumed. While isopropanol can mimic the effects of alcohol, it causes side effects including abdominal pain, sickness, dizziness, and even death in extreme cases.

The fakes were found in the Levenmouth area of Fife as part of an investigation by Fife Council’s food safety and trading standards teams.

According to The Sun, both the shop and pub found selling the counterfeit liquid will have their licences reviewed and may face prosecution.

“One of the vodkas had things in it that could be seriously harmful,” Douglas Hardaker of Fife Council told the paper.

An investigation is under way to determine whether the fake vodka was made locally or shipped from elsewhere.

Paul Smith of Castle Leisure Group, which represents the licensed trade, said it was “disappointing” to see people flouting the law. “We would all like to see those people who peddle that type of illicit alcohol, while the rest of us comply with the rules and regulations, taken to task,” he said.