Have you been experiencing unusual hangover from your favorite wine or whisky? Well, alcohol brands in the market are facing a new smuggling and counterfeiting scam, and that could be why.
Illegal manufacturers are packaging substandard alcohol in premium brand bottles complete with Regional Revenue Authority excise stamps and even manufacturer and distributor batch numbers.
An inspection unit from Uganda Nile Breweries Legal pointed out that some of the batch numbers on liquors supposedly under their distribution chain were fake.
Onapito-Ekomoloit East African Breweries Limited (EABL) Corporate Affairs Director says adulterated drinks are likely to cause adverse after-effects to consumers characterized by nasty hangovers and alcohol poisoning.
A recent inspection in entertainment joints revealed fake products being packaged as established liquor brands and sold to unsuspecting customers. In one of the joints inspected, brands of whiskey were found to lack basic certification.
While many retailers seem unaware of the products they have been selling, some use the legitimate brands on display in case of random checks but serve the contraband and substandard brands to customers.
“The recent multi-agency enforcement activities have been encouraging, but there is a pressing need for strategic and sustainable efforts to fully eradicate illicit alcohol in future,” says an official at EABL.
