Spelling mistakes on counterfeit wines

The UK Food Standards Agency has been made aware that counterfeit wines labelled as Jacob’s Creek wines are being offered for sale in the Greater London area.

The counterfeit product is of very low quality and substandard taste but there are no indications that it is harmful to health. The wines have been offered for sale to customers in independent wholesalers and a number of small independent retail outlets across a number of London boroughs. In addition, seizures have been made in the Surrey, Brighton and Reading areas.

The label on the back of each counterfeit bottle includes a spelling mistake – below the text ‘SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA’ appears some smaller text, ‘WINE OF AUSTRLIA’, where the word ‘Australia’ is missing an ‘a’.

Colin Houston, Head of Food Fraud and Incidents at the Food Standards Agency, said: “Consumers need to be vigilant and should check closely for spelling mistakes. The FSA takes the issue of food and drink fraud very seriously and is working closely with local trading standards officers and the brand owner to stop the unlawful selling of this wine.”