Counterfeit products: why is it dangerous and how to identify it
Alcohol counterfeit of famous brands is dangerous because during their manufacturing products ethanol is replaced with different chemical compounds, which are used in cleaning fluids, nail polish remover, and car window cleaners, as well as methanol and isopropanol, which are components of anti-freeze and some types of fuel. Consumption of alcohol with these chemicals may cause nausea, vomiting, stomachache, dizziness, and doziness. It can also lead to problems with kidneys and liver, and even coma. Methanol, mainly used in the production of counterfeit vodka, can cause irreversible blindness.
Oddly enough but a bottle is an integral part of counterfeit schemes. The manufacturers of counterfeit spirits use recognizable bottles and fill them with their illegally produced or inferior drinks to trick consumers.
Many famous brands and alcohol safety groups help to identify counterfeit products. The inspection of spelling on the label which is often copied with spelling mistakes, glue, used for sticking these labels on the bottles, incompatible filling levels of bottles, etc. takes only a few minutes of your time but can ensure not only a pleasant pastime but also the absence of negative consequences.
The creation of smart bottles and QR-code on each bottle of alcohol sold will enable buyers to check the production process of an individual bottle. Also, this system protects from the reuse bottle counterfeiters.
According to the evaluations, one-third of all spirits production in the world is illegal. Many people worldwide are at immense risk of health problems when they decide to drink alcohol.
Alcohol on guard of ecology
Spirits manufacturing quite negatively affects the environment. The release of carbon dioxide, the sink of nitrates and phosphates, the excessive consumption of water - the list is endless. Thus, some famous brands tend to be more eco-friendly by financing environmental studies, reforestation, cleaning oceans, protecting endangered species, or minimizing carbon dioxide emissions.
Some distilleries completely renew the distillation process switching to waste-free production of alcoholic beverages. English Black Cow Vodka and Canada's Dairy Distillery manufacture vodka from the leftovers of whey from local cheese-makers. In San Diego, Misadventure Vodka is done based on the products of local bakeries. Hyke Gin uses 1.4 million baskets of surplus grapes to create their drink, instead of the usual waste disposal.
Besides various actions taken to minimize the damage, alcohol brands create trusts for the protection of rare animals. Liqueur Amarula from South Africa, made of cream, sugar, and fruit of the marula tree advocate for the conservation of elephants for a long time. In 2002 the company founded Amarula Trust, where it collects money for these great animals. By the way, the fruits that make up the basis of the drink, are a favorite delicacy of African elephants.
Grey Whale is Golden State gin, based on vegetable substances from all over California, including seaweed from the coast of Mendocino, limes from Bakh, almond from Central Valley, and juniper from Big Sur. Besides pleasant floral taste, Grey Whale Gin is a brand which protects grey whales in the Pacific Ocean and ensures the preservation of the ecosystem of the entire coast.
Popular Icelandic vodka Reyka has been always supporting ecology. The manufacturing site is fully powered by geothermal energy. Starting April 2019, the brand started the program for the protection of the endangered species of seabirds - Atlantic puffins, which are the symbol of Iceland.
“They're so damn cute”, - says the representative of Reyka brand, Trevor Shneider. “And they are Icelanders, same as Reyka”
As a result, it is the factor of environmental friendliness of production and environmental protection that will contribute to the greater sustainability of the industry. As shoppers begin to see brand transparency as a shopping motivator, brands will devote more funds and effort to move towards more targeted methods. Even now 62% of the US consumers prefer to buy drinks with natural ingredients. Also, different campains and educative initiatives led by the company aimed to raise public awareness of fraud is an equally important way to ensure brand stability and integrity.