The dangers of fake alcohol | Drinkaware (2024)

Drinking fake alcohol is very risky to your health and could have dangerous consequences. Fake or illegally produced alcohol can lead to anything from nausea to blindness, and even death. That’s because we have no way of knowing for certain how it’s made and what is in it.

What is fake or counterfeit alcohol?

Fake or illegally produced alcohol is alcohol that is produced in unlicensed distilleries or people's homes and intended for sale. Properly produced and certified alcoholic drinks will be made using ethanol, whereas production of fake alcohol – according to the Food Standards Agency – is more likely to use cheaper versions of alcohol, and contain potentially even more dangerous chemicals.1

It is illegal to distil and sell alcohol to the public in the UK without a license from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).2

Health risks from fake alcohol

Properly produced and certified alcoholic drinks are made with ethanol – this is a type of alcohol that’s associated with lowest risk if drunk within the UK CMOs' low risk guidelines. But fake alcoholic drinks can be produced using other types of alcohol, which may have even more serious, adverse effects on your health.

Illegally produced alcohol should never be drunk. There is no way to know what chemicals are in it and how it’s been made. You also won’t know how strong it is because it has not been produced to the standards of commercially produced alcoholic drinks. So you could become seriously intoxicated and acutely unwell at much lower than expected levels of consumption. Learn more about the symptoms and risks of alcohol poisoning.

How to recognise and avoid fake alcohol

There are several ways to spot fake alcohol, but remember, if you’re in any doubt, the best advice is never to buy it or drink it:

  • Make sure you buy alcoholic drinks from a reputable retailer.
  • Beware of brand names you’ve never heard of and prices that seem too low.
  • Poor labels and spelling errors are a good indication that the product is counterfeit. Spirits in bottles of 35cl or larger and 30% ABV or higher have to have a duty stamp, which indicates that tax has either been paid or is due to be paid on the contents of the bottle. It’s usually incorporated into the label or stuck on the glass. If it’s not there, it’s illegal.
  • Vodka, the most commonly counterfeited spirit, should look completely clear, with no white particles or sediment visible in the bottle. Avoid any that is not entirely clear.
  • If any alcohol tastes or smells bad, don't drink it.
  • Check the cap is sealed properly. If the seal is broken, don’t drink it. Even if it’s not illegal, it could have been tampered with.3

What to do if you spot fake alcohol

If you think you’ve drunk fake alcohol, seek medical advice by calling 111. If you feel very unwell, let them know without delay.

Or if you’ve seen for sale or been offered fake alcohol, you can report it to your local Trading Standards office who will report it to the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU). You can also call Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or the Customs Hotline on 0845 010 9000.

Or, you can report it 100% anonymously to the Alcohol Fraud Line on 0800 234 6388, or by visiting www.alcoholfraudline.com – powered by the charity Crimestoppers in partnership with WSTA. 100% anonymous. Always. Speak up. Stay safe.

The dangers of fake alcohol | Drinkaware (1)

Further advice and information

Arming yourself with strategies and tips can help you or a loved one take small steps towards big results.

How to help someone who has drunk too much Worried about someone else's drinking? How to take a break and reset your tolerance Is alcohol harming your stomach?

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Last Reviewed: 8th March 2021

Next Review due: 8th March 2024

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The dangers of fake alcohol | Drinkaware (2024)

FAQs

The dangers of fake alcohol | Drinkaware? ›

There is no way of knowing for certain the ingredients contained in fake or illegally produced alcohol, which means that drinking it can lead to anything from nausea, to blindness, and even death.

What are the side effects of counterfeit alcohol? ›

Criminals produce counterfeit alcohol, which often contains substances such as antifreeze, nail polish remover and even paint stripper. Fake alcohol can cause blindness and organ failure and can even lead to death.

What gives you a buzz like alcohol? ›

- Caffeinated Energy Drinks: Caffeinated energy drinks are some of the most popular functional drinks on the market. They are packed with caffeine and other stimulants, which can give you a quick buzz.

Is powdered alcohol safe? ›

Public health concerns

Excessive consumption of alcohol, powdered or liquid, can result in acute overdose, intoxication-related accidental injury, compromised judgment, and longer-term negative health consequences including liver disease, cancer, and physiologic dependence.

What non alcoholic beer gives you a buzz? ›

IMPOSSIBREW® is an impossibly relaxing non-alcoholic beer designed to replace alcohol. For a healthier daily wind down by recreating the closest possible experience - from look, taste to how it makes you feel. Put simply, it's a way to enjoy drinking more, without worrying about your health.

What are the negative impacts of counterfeit? ›

It Supports Child Labor: Counterfeiters do not pay their employees fair wages or benefits, have poor working conditions, and often use forced or child labor. It Supports Organized Crime: The profits from counterfeiting sales have been linked to funding organized crime, drug trafficking, and even terrorist activity.

What are the most harmful alcohols? ›

Both methanol and isopropanol are poisonous to humans because our bodies metabolize them as toxic substances which cause liver failure. Drinking even a small amount of methanol or rubbing alcohol can be fatal.

Is kava worse for the liver than alcohol? ›

Liver damage

While the benefits over alcohol seem clear, kava may not be immune to some of the risks that we also find in excess use of alcohol. Kuhn added, “Some research suggests that kava could lead to liver injury. But those studies are refuted, leading many to feel confused about the risks of use.”

What is a synthetic alcohol without a hangover? ›

About GABA Labs (formerly known as Alcarelle)

'Alcarelle' is a synthetic GABAergic* ingredient that can be used to make adult drinks and works as an effective catalyst for conviviality and social interaction without some of the unpleasant aspects of ethanol.

What non-alcoholic drinks make you feel drunk? ›

Traditional beverages like coffee, tea, energy drinks, and kombucha have been playing the functional game for centuries. Each has its unique way of enhancing mood and creating different states of mind.

What states is powdered alcohol illegal? ›

The current powdered alcohol prohibition covers Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington state.

Can 70 isopropyl alcohol get you drunk? ›

For someone who wants to get drunk as fast as possible, yes, isopropyl alcohol will do the trick. According to the NCBI, "nearly 80 percent is absorbed [into the bloodstream] within 30 minutes of ingestion." The effects kick in rapidly.

How strong is powdered alcohol? ›

Powdered alcohol is about 10% alcohol by volume, but this may not be an easy way to know how much a person consumes. It can be dissolved in water or ingested in other ways. It is legal in the United States, but at least 35 states have banned its sale.

Is Heineken 0.0 really alcohol-free? ›

Heineken 0.0 contains less than 0,03% alcohol so as such it is a non-alcohol beer. This amount has no impact on the body and is fully fine in view of driving and pregnancy or alc-intolerant medical treatment.

Is Budweiser Zero really alcohol-free? ›

Bud Zero contains 50 calories, no sugar, and, as you may have guessed, zero alcohol.

Can kids drink non-alcoholic beer? ›

Even if a beer has zero alcohol — which isn't the case for all nonalcoholic beers, which sometimes have trace amounts of less than 0.05% alcohol — pediatricians say that it's best not to let kids sip on nonalcoholic booze.

What are 3 potentially harmful side effects of misusing alcohol? ›

Organs known to be damaged by long-term alcohol misuse include the brain and nervous system, heart, liver and pancreas. Heavy drinking can also increase your blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, both of which are major risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.

What are the side effects of counterfeit drugs? ›

The fallout of falsified and substandard medicines includes poisoning, untreated disease, early death, and treatment failure.

What are the consequences of smelling alcohol? ›

The Bottom Line

Alcohol can be absorbed into your bloodstream by inhaling alcohol vapors. People who inhale alcohol vapors get drunk very quickly, because the alcohol goes straight to the brain. Also, heated alcohol vapor can injure the lungs.

What are the dangers of counterfeit components? ›

Counterfeit components often do not meet established safety guidelines and can even contain dangerous materials or toxins. In extreme cases, failure of a counterfeit part could put lives at risk or cause expensive damage to a system or property.

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