A popular vodka is being investigated by food safety watchdogs over concerns it may be laced with potentially deadly industrial solvent.
Officials have slapped a 'do not drink' alert on the counterfeit spirit, labelled Glen's Vodka (35cl).
It is feared the booze, being sold in the UK, contains isopropyl alcohol, which is 'not intended for human consumption'.
Often used in cleaning products, aftershaves and hand sanitizer, drinking the solvent can cause vomiting, stomach pain and problems breathing properly. In rarer cases, it can even prove fatal.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA), who issued the alert, said the imitation spirit 'may have a strange smell and taste differently to genuine vodka'.
The best way to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit products is to check the label and the base of the bottle.
'Every genuine bottle of Glen's Vodka has a laser etched lotcode applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle,' the FSA said.
'They will also have markings (bottle size, fill height, and bottle ID) on the base of the bottle.
'These will not vary in position or detail.
'The bottle mould number may vary. Do not use this as a unique identifier.
'Isopropyl alcohol is an industrial solvent and is not intended for human consumption.'
Anyone experiencing any unusual symptoms should seek medical attention, the watchdog also warned.
People may be able to tell if their vodka is contaminated by smell alone, given isopropyl alcohol has a 'strong odour'.
In this case, the bottle should be stored in a safe place and reported to the local authority for further instructions, the FSA advised
'If anyone has any information on the manufacture or sale of counterfeit alcohol, then please contact our freephone confidential National Food Crime Unit hotline', they added.
The warning also comes just days after Food Standards Scotland (FSS) said counterfeit Glen's Vodka had been found in convenience stores in Glasgow and Lanarkshire.
A spokesperson for the Loch Lomond Group, which owns Glen's Vodka, said: 'Our priority is the health and safety of the public which includes our many thousands of loyal Glen's customers.
'We are working hard to support the excellent efforts of Food Standards Scotland and the other authorities involved to address the matter urgently.
'We would urge any customers who suspect they may have a counterfeit product to contact their local council's environmental health service or the Food Standards Scotland Food Crime and Incidents Unit as quickly as possible.
'Ingested isopropyl alcohol will be converted to acetone and so onset of symptoms may be immediate or delayed, for up to 30 hours post ingestion.'
