Counterfeit alcohol is a growing problem in the UK

According to a new report of IPC, the fake drinks are often highly toxic. Criminals were finding new routes to market including the internet.

 The International Federation of Spirit Producers UK says that fake spirits tend to have "excessive" levels of poisonous methanol and warnings have been issued by the Food Standards Agency to that effect.

The report referred to the discovery by HMRC and Cardiff Trading Standards of an illegal alcohol plant in the city. The spirit had 38 times the permitted level of methanol and possessed the chemical composition of "a diluted industrial methylated spirit". The vodka was also found in Bridgend, Newport and Torfaen.

The report highlighted the growing problem of counterfeit cigarettes in the UK citing previously published figures from HM Revenue & Customs and the Tobacco Manufacturers Alliance. Of 56 Trading Standards departments surveyed in England, Scotland and Wales, seven reported raids involving counterfeit cigarettes.