Council issues warning of counterfeit Chekov Vodka

Halton Borough Council is warning consumers about a hazardous batch of counterfeit Vodka known to be circulating in the area. Tests of the counterfeit Chekov brand vodka have found the product contains very high levels of methanol.

Methanol is extremely poisonous and can cause blindness, seizure, organ failure and in extreme cases death.

The product is a counterfeit version of a genuine product sold by the brand owner Booker Wholesale.

The warning follows the seizure of a quantity of counterfeit alcohol and tobacco from a vehicle in Runcorn during a joint operation by the Police and Halton Trading Standards. A subsequent search of an address in Halton found further supplies of counterfeit alcohol. It is thought the product has been sold in the Halton and Chester areas but initial investigations suggest the product could also be in circulation throughout the North West.

A spokesperson for Halton Trading Standards said:

Anybody with information concerning the sale of counterfeit alcohol and tobacco can report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.