Drinkers craving a tipple are being warned of fake bottles of whisky contaminated with dangerously high levels of methanol.

So far only 50 bottles of the counterfeit Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky have been found on sale in Hackney, London, but Southend Council is warning residents to be on their guard as it could be sold in other areas.

Methanol should not be present in whisky in the levels it has been found and could cause serious harm.

The Food Standards Agency was alerted to the problem after a member of the public complained to the distributors of Johnnie Walker Black Label, Diageo Great Britain Ltd.

Diageo confirmed this is not the genuine product.

Published Wednesday November 6, 2002

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