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THE FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY of Ireland has warned that it has identified a number of bottles of vodka with counterfeit labels.
The one-litre bottles are marked with Smirnoff Red Label branding but were not produced by that company. Lab analysis of the vodka found that it was 32 per cent alcohol content, rather than the 37.5 per cent alcohol content in the real deal.
The Authority has warned consumers to stay vigilant and not to purchase if they have any doubts that the vodka is genuine.
These are the ways in which you will be able to tell if it is a fake label or not – the fake label is fairly sophisticated but those with the Irish addresses are fake – the ones with the UK markings are correct.
The genuine Smirnoff label:
The fake Smirnoff label:
Genuine:
Counterfeit:
Images via FSAI.
The CEO of the Food Safety Authority, Prof Alan Reilly, said that while there hasn’t been any specific food hazards identified in the bottles found, they are concerned that there may be unknown contaminants in other batches which they haven’t yet seized.
He said:
Given we have no information as to when or where this alcohol originates, it would be unwise for anyone to drink it.The counterfeit vodka was found on sale in the retail and pub sectors. Food businesses should only source stock from registered distributors and wholesalers, as it is their legal responsibility to ensure the food and drink they are selling complies with all food safety and traceability requirements.
Diageo Ireland, which distributes Smirnoff here, says that it has been giving all assistance to the FSAI to identify the counterfeiters. They asked that anyone with information or who spots counterfeit products to contact them the Diageo Consumer helpline on 1850 25 00 00 or the FSAI on 1890 33 66 77 or at info@fsai.ie.
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“The fake one is more faded”?! The real one looks more faded in the pictures!
Exactly. And surely the biggest give away is the made in ireland statement.
The picture editor/proofreader messed up on this one at journal.ie The main headline picture clearly contradicts the ones in the article. Maybe they want us to buy the fake stuff!
If they just said the “Made in Ireland” one’s are fake it would’ve made more sense! We’re not going to have an empty original bottle to compare it to when we’re shopping to see which is more (or less!) faded!
Are you an alco?
I’d rather buy the counterfeit one made in Ireland, we need to support Irish jobs
Can’t afford to be an alco…
Goddammit! Just checked the bottle in the house and it IS Produced in Ireland!! :O
The building in the backdrop is faded. ?..mabey you need glasses
You could be drinking chloroform or methylated spirits. You could die!
Just watched the Channel 5 show about the black market.
Just stick yo Guinness
You’d really be worrying about that in a nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning :)
Its gas, its like the the old Scooby Doo cartoons where the fake money had an actor on the money instead. Why would they change the details on the labels?
To get the buy irish market
lol
I will do fierce research on this tonight
Smirnoff is rotten stuff. Was at a wedding in poland a few years back and they laid on Smirnoff for the irish and polish vodka for themselves. The Polish drink it straight so we did the same on the day. Only when you drink it straight your realise how bad it is. The polish vodka was lovely stuff straight. At the end of the night the Smirnoff was left behind and everyone was drinking the polish vodka. Not sure of it name but it had a cork top and what looked like a blade of grass in it. Drink it in moderation might I add!!
Probably Zubrowka
It is definitely Zubrowka. Amazing vodka made with bison grass. I can’t understand people paying 100 euro + for Crystal Skull vodka. Zubrowka, every time.
Went into google images and it doesn’t look like the bottle but it was 8 years ago so maybe older bottle. Be warned I had a killer headache the next morning so go easy on it if anyone decides to get it!
That’s the one I was on about, couldn’t think of the name. You’re spot on, David. It’s the nicest vodka I’ve ever tasted.
Fake or genuine Smirnoff is shite vodka.
Thanks for showing the differences.. Now we can go and print the proper labels for the fake vodka… Nice one journal.. :)
Dont think it would of been too much trouble getting copies of the real labels. Why they didn’t is anyones guess.
outrageous! if anyone finds any counterfeit bottles, contact me at once and i shall endeavour to dispose of these bottles as safely as possible.
Large irish supermarket are currently selling the real stuff at €21 for a 1lt btl, I’d say that’s as cheap as the real stuff sells for. I would not trust the fake stuff, even though supposably lower % it could act as a paint stripper on your innards!
But theres no paint on your innards?
@Shane Donaghy…there ye go, it worked :-)
The ra wouldn’t put made in uk in the bottle haha
Even as an original it’s a very average vodka. There are so many better ones out there for cheaper or similar prices.
Agreed, Smirnoff is quite bland. They did do a ”Copper Pot Still” version a while back which was slightly better. Then again though the majority will drown it with a mixer lol
They still do make it, it’s Smirnoff Black Label
They still do make it, it’s Smirnoff Black Label.
Worst hangover ever off this stuff. I was sick for a week wil never buy from a taxi driver again. Lol
Another giveaway is it tastes like petrol. The disgusting rocket fuel that reminds me of package holidays in Spain. I just got shivers thinkin about it!!!
I don’t really like vodka, except for that one with the blade of grass in it. Forget the name, but it’s seriously nice tack. Nothing to do with the story, sorry.
Zubrowka – A Polish Vodka.
Nice alright.
Lower alcohol content. Sounds like a healthier alternative.
yes a lower alcohol content but no guarantee what types of alcohols are in it. most are quite toxic . there is a science to distillation that counterfeiters may not be too bothered about . that being said I quick test would have shown these toxins and if the fsa had found them this story would have been worded different.
Yeah, I was joking. I won’t be drinking either of these.
Fake Smirnoff can’t be much worse then real Smirnoff. Real Smirnoff is the worst big label vodka created. It is an English company set up by Russian immigrants but it is not good vodka.
Smirnoff real or fake is horrible stuff. Easiest option in Absolut, very easy on the noggin the next day too. Great stuff!
The Finn’s have fine Vodka.
Btw, they’re the family next door, not the population of Finland. Just imagine having all of them living next door!!! You’d need damn great Wodka!
Sher it all produces the same result anyway
I like Smirnoff. But if it’s supposed to be bland,what great vodka should I be drinking?
Try Stolichnaya.
Boru – 5 times charcoal distilled
oops – charcoal filtered
Indeed. Charcoal filtered!
Ah counterfeit is fairly dodgy . It’s transported thru Europe as anti-freeze with added colouring in ibcs . And rebottled and labelled in less than hygienic surroundings. Tho the produced in Ireland is funny as it’s a complete f- you to uk customs!
@seamusmcCallister
I think the vodka you are talking about is zubrovka bison grass,spelling mightn’t be right
though. It lovely chilled with apple juice.
Easiest way to know if it’s fake is if it’s half the price :-)
Put Tesco own brand through a Britta filter once or twice and you will have a better vodka than Smirnoff…am not even joking.
I wonder is it any good?
Bein a cheap fecker I’ll stick to tesco value :-)
The real stuff, like all Diageo shite – is shite! Dingle Distillery (the ppl behind the Porterhouse pubs and craft beers) make a lovely vodka and gin. And they’re actually Irish.
It’s easier again if you just look at the writing on the actual glass of the bottle… it doesn’t say Pierre Smirnoff. (Pierre Sminkoff?)
*on
Biggest issue here is that ENDA and his cronies are not getting their slice of action
Can’t believe they didn’t try tell us it was made with rats piss and toenails roll on tv3 bullshit propaganda
why would u want to buy the fake stuff,when u can buy a litre bottle in dunes stores for 19 euro
Is the 1.5 dodgy aswel??
Sum fake brandy goin around aswel
have your say