WATCH: Fake whiskey sold in Krugersdorp – couple takes action

When Charles and Bonita van Rooyen went to buy their regular bottle of whisky, they had no idea they would be duped. They also had no idea that the video they shot of what transpired would go viral.

The News spoke to the couple who said they are the ones in the viral TikTok video that shows that fake Jameson whiskey is being sold. Bonita explained that they have no idea how the video leaked but that the man who posted it on TikTok did not have their permission. Especially when you take into consideration that their son’s face can be seen in the video.

Charles explained that they were at a local restaurant on March 18 and he sent his son to the liquor store next door to buy whiskey. When they returned home he poured some of the whiskey for Bonita, who then told him that it did not taste right.

“I saw it was lighter than usual but it tasted like methanol or spirits,” Bonita said.

She told Charles and he said it is the same thing he always buys for her. Bonita said she was scared that she might be sick and that was affecting her taste buds but when others also tasted the spirit they confirmed something was wrong.

The next morning, Charles went to another reputable liquor outlet and bought another bottle of Jameson. He then took the sealed bottle and receipt to the previous shop to show the owner the difference.

In the video, the colour difference can be seen as Charles instructs the owner to take a bottle from his shelf and open it. He said the owner told him that he will speak to the supplier but refused to refund him. Eventually, the bottles were taken away for testing and he did receive new bottles.

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Bonita said they want to warn people to be careful of buying fake alcohol as it could have deadly consequences.

She said they have since learned when you look at the cap of the fake bottles it has a pink tinge instead of gold, the diamond embossing at the bottom is bigger and if you want to check you should compare the number that is etched into the bottle with the barcode.

The News has since reached out to the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) to find out what consumers can do in a situation like this.

Abraham Nelson, Executive of the Consumer Goods Risk Initiative (CGRI) of the CGCSA said, “One of the biggest threats to economic order and growth as well as to the health of the people is the trend of counterfeit and illicit trade which the CGCSA strongly abhors. Not only does it deny legitimate brand owners business, but it is also costing the fiscus millions of rand through lost taxes which could be used to fund basic social services.”

What to do if you suspect you bought fake alcohol:

In response to the growing problem, the CGCSA partnered with members of the manufacturing and retail industry in September 2020 and launched a toll-free Anti-Illicit Trade and Counterfeiting Hotline number. The public can use this number to anonymously report information.

“The toll-free number, 0800 014 856, is one of the initiatives by CGRI to protect its members from illicit and counterfeit manufacturing and trading of various products, particularly alcohol, cigarettes, food, pharmaceuticals, and clothing. It also serves to protect consumers from harmful products.”

He said that the hotline has received information that helped the police and SARS conduct several disruptive operations across the country.

“These operations are ongoing which shows that the collaboration between CGRI and other stakeholders in the fight against illicit trade is bearing fruit and these efforts will be intensified during 2023 and beyond. The CGRI urges consumers to use the Hotline to report anyone they suspect is dealing in counterfeit and illicit trade, or is selling counterfeit alcohol, cigarettes, food, medicine as well as apparel.”

How to check if you are buying the real deal:

Michael-Francis Padayachee, executive of GS1 South Africa said shoppers and retailers need to be on their guard against buying fake alcohol products from stores.

“Research indicates that as many as one in five bottles of wine on sale in convenience stores may be bogus, this is why a traceability standard is important. We need to urge consumers to think carefully before buying goods, and to be skeptical of alcohol deals that appear ‘too good to be true’. As well as suggesting that shoppers should only buy alcohol from trusted retailers, who list products with legitimate Product Identification [GS1 Barcodes], and consumers should carefully study labels on alcohol containers before buying.”

Also read: How to talk to your teen about the dangers of alcohol

Tell-tale signs of a fake product include a poorly fixed label, no health warning, liquid colour, and haziness, no details of a manufacturer or importer and the GS1 Barcode (Global Trade Identification Number) cannot be verified, and even misspellings on the container.

“While smart labelling is not embraced in South Africa for liquor products, it is one of the most effective ways to prevent counterfeiting to use smart labelling and a track and trace system to verify that the information on the label is valid. By adding an intelligent label with a serialized GS1 barcode to the bottle, the product can be traced from the point of manufacturing through distribution and retail. Track and trace systems use unique product identifiers – such as serial numbers – to track individual products throughout the supply chain, from production to end consumers. It also helps manufacturers significantly reduce counterfeiting by ensuring products can be easily identified.”

Also read: Man arrested for counterfeit alcohol to the value of 4 million in Muldersdrift

Charles said they later saw the shop was closed and the notice on the door read that the shop was closed per Section 88(1)(a) and (b) of the Customs and Excise Act no 91 of 1964 which reads; “Officers are entitled in terms of Section 88(1)(a) to detain any ship, vehicle, plant, material or goods at any place for the purpose of establishing whether it is liable to forfeiture under this Act.”