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Brewery raises awareness of staff and partners on counterfeit alcohol |18 August 2017

 

 

 

 

Staff members from Seychelles Breweries Ltd (SBL), representatives of its key partners like the Fair Trading Commission, the Seychelles Bureau of Standards, Seychelles Revenue Commission among others have followed an education and information session to raise their awareness of the impact undetected  counterfeit alcohol can have on a country’s economy, on consumers, businesses as well as the health problems it can cause.

Iain Macleod, brand assurance manager from Diageo’s International Supply Brand Technical Centre in Scotland led the session which was held yesterday at the SBL’s head office at O’Brien House, Le Rocher.

Through detailed PowerPoint presentations the attendees were able to learn why counterfeit alcohol is big business, the brands targeted to be copied, how to spot and identify fake brands, authentification measures Diageo has in place to minimise risks… among other related aspects.

Muriel Morgan, brand manager at SBL, a branch of Diageo Plc, said while counterfeiting Diageo’s brand products is not yet a problem here the company has taken the initiative to raise awareness of not only its staff but its different partners and to empower them so they can identify and know what to do if ever such products were to find their way here.

“Our country is open to the world and as it continues to develop we are prone to more risks so we have to be prepared,” Ms Morgan said.

Mr Macleod explained in his presentations that counterfeit is one of the fastest growing economic crimes of modern time with a combination of high profits and low penalties, a money-making  opportunity for sophisticated organised crime networks.

Its impact is detrimental on economies worldwide as it defrauds governments, businesses and society of billions of dollars in tax revenues. It can also pose serious health problems as poor quality and harmful spirits and chemicals can be used in these productions which are usually done in very unsanitary and unhygienic conditions.

“Consumers can easily be fooled into buying these products thinking they are genuine and this can spoil their experience and enjoyment of the products,” Mr Macleod said.

He added that here in Seychelles we are very fortunate that this concern is not an issue but stressed on the need to raise awareness among key stakeholders and partner agencies on the existence of the problem.

While he noted that it would not be easy for consumers to spot the difference between fake and genuine alcohol they should always beware of prices which are too good to be true.

Mr Macleod noted that counterfeit spirit is a global issue and international spirit brands like whisky are popular targets for counterfeiters as it is more profitable and safer to handle and carry lower risks than drugs.

 

 

 

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