Beware of counterfeit alcohol this festive season

This festive season, beware of counterfeit alcohol that looks like popular brands, but can put your health at risk. For many South Africans the upcoming holidays are a time to let loose and indulge while in celebratory mode. But, they’re also an opportunity for scammers to find victims to take advantage of.
The South African Liquor Brand Owners Association (SALBA) says counterfeit bottles of spirits and wine have substitute contents which include another alcoholic liquid, or are diluted with water that is poured into a branded bottle.

SALBA has given DRUM readers tips to avoid buying fake alcohol:

1. Check the quality of printing and colouring on labels – counterfeits try to look similar to the real brand, but often can’t pull it off on close examination.
2. Check for tampering on the glue around the cap. This could indicate the bottle has been opened and resealed.
3. Counterfeit products are often diluted clear cane spirits with added colourants and flavouring. A caramel flavour can be added to a cane spirit to create a brown colour that looks like the real product.
4. Harmful substances are added to these products, like toxic methanol, a type of alcohol which is poisonous and can kill.
5. Beware of outlets that are selling liquor without a licence.
6. Do comparative price checks: often fake alcohol is cheaper compared to the industry reference price.

Spotting counterfeit alcohol is critical for health and safety, as fake alcohol can be toxic or even lethal. Here are practical steps to identify counterfeit alcohol:

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🔍 1. Inspect the Packaging Carefully

• Labels: Look for spelling mistakes, poor print quality, or incorrect logos.

• Bottle Cap/Seal: Check for broken or loose seals; legitimate bottles have tamper-evident caps.

• Glass Bottle: Genuine brands use high-quality bottles with uniform shape and weight.

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🏷 2. Verify the Product Information

• Barcode: Scan it—counterfeit products often have invalid or duplicated barcodes.

• Batch number & expiry date: Verify consistency with the manufacturer's format. Mismatched or missing info is a red flag.

• Import labels & excise stamps: Check for authenticity, especially on imported alcohol. In South Africa, the SARS excise stamp should be present and intact.

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👃 3. Smell and Appearance

• Smell: Fake alcohol may smell of nail polish remover, fuel, or overly sweet/artificial notes.

• Clarity: Cloudiness or sediment in a product that should be clear (e.g., vodka or gin) suggests tampering.

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🍷 4. Taste (With Caution)

• If safe to do so, a very small sip might reveal harsh, chemical-like flavors or burning sensations—signs of methanol or other unsafe additives.

• If it tastes unusually strong, bitter, or "off," stop drinking immediately.

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🧪 5. Home Tests (Optional)

• Shake Test: Shake the bottle—excessive or large bubbles that persist may indicate impurities.

• UV Light: Some security labels glow under UV light (check brand specifications).

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✅ 6. Purchase from Trusted Sources

• Buy only from licensed stores or restaurants.

• Avoid:

  • Markets/street vendors

  • Online listings from unknown sellers

  • Very low-priced offers that seem "too good to be true"

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⚠️ Health Symptoms of Consuming Fake Alcohol

If you suspect you've consumed counterfeit alcohol, watch for:

• Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain

• Dizziness, blurred vision, or headaches

• Difficulty breathing

• Unconsciousness or seizures

Seek immediate medical attention—methanol poisoning can be fatal.