Public Analyst Reports on Fake Spirits

Alan Richards, Public Analyst for Stockton BC, found samples labelled Smirnoff Vodka and Gordon's Gin, submitted for analysis in February 2006, were counterfeit. The defendent was eventually prosecuted and found guilty at Teesside Magistrate Court on 26 April 2007 with a significant fine and costs.

Alan said "This is a problem that appears from time to time and only through regular effective enforcement and publicity of the outcome of cases like this can potential offenders be deterred. This was a good result for Stockton Trading Standards".

A press release by Stockton Borough Council is reproduced below.

Press Release - Substituted spirits are not a cheaper option!!

Stockton Trading Standards Service has been recognised as one of the top 25 enforcement authorities in the UK for the level of work carried out to protect the consumer from being "ripped off" from the supply of substituted and adulterated spirits in licensed premises. It has received a Certificate of Excellence and additional training support from the IFSP UK, the trade association set up to support enforcement in this area.

Every year the Service carries out a programme of inspections at licensed premises in the Borough.

Following a routine inspection on 17th February 2006 at the Good Luck Chinese Restaurant Yarm Lane Stockton-on-Tees the owner Mr Wei Quan Huang pleaded not guilty to charges under the Food Safety Act 1990 of exposing for sale substituted Smirnoff Vodka and Gordon's Gin.

Mr Wei Quan Huang claimed, that the spirits were for his own personal use and for use in the kitchen. The spirits at the time of inspection were located behind the public bar area with optics attached.

Following a two-day trial, Teesside Magistrates found Mr Wei Quan Huang of The Good Luck Chinese Restaurant, Yarm Lane, Stockton-on-Tees guilty of exposing for sale substituted Smirnoff Vodka and Gordon's Gin. Mr Wei Quan Huang was fined £500.00 for each offence (£1000.00 in total) and ordered to pay £3000.00 in costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was granted for the seized bottles.

David Kitching Trading Standards & Licensing Manger said :-

"I am concerned about the high level of adulterated products being found, especially in restaurant premises. All licencees should ensure that the drinks they sell are genuine by only buying from reputable sources. They should also have systems in place to ensure the drinks they sell are not tampered with. This could involve simple steps such as only buying from reputable sources, stock control, secure storage and staff training. Simple hydrometers can be used to check that bottles have not been tampered with."