HF trading standards officers recognised

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Officers regularly search for bar staff who refill branded bottles with cheap substitutes

Hammersmith & Fulham trading standards officers have been recognised for their undercover work in the 'spirit world' - searching for bar staff who fill branded drink bottles with cheap substitutes.

Recognition came in the form of a Bronze Star from the International Federation of Spirits Producers UK, awarded at the Trading Standards Conference in Brighton this month.

Refilling premium branded bottles with cheaper spirits for re-sale in pubs clubs, hotels and restaurants has reduced nationally from 8% of outlets to 2% over the last 5 years, thanks to the work of Trading Standards teams.

Hammersmith & Fulham Trading Standards officers regularly visit pubs across the borough armed with "dipsticks" which change colour according to whether the spirit is the marked brand or a cheap substitute. If the drink does not match the bottle's label, the licensee can face
prosecution under the Trade Descriptions and Food Safety Acts.

Councillor Michael Cartwright, Cabinet Member for the Environment said: "It may come as a surprise to many pub-goers that they don't always get the drink that they pay for, and our Trading Standards team works hard to ensure that consumers aren't exploited. Thanks to their efforts our recent blitz on cheap substitutes actually found that all the pubs and
bars tested were selling the right brands in the right bottles. Although most of our licensees run honest businesses I am sure that any who are tempted to break the law will now think twice as they know they will get caught."

July 3, 2005