Laboratory tests on Dirty George vodka, sold at a Melbourne IGA liquor store, detected tert-butyl alcohol—a petrochemical used in industrial cleaners like paint strippers—at about 500 milligrams per litre, according to findings reported by ABC’s 7.30. The presence of this industrial chemical, alongside about 3 per cent glycerine, suggests the product was manufactured using industrial alcohol rather than food-grade spirits.
Industrial Chemicals in Consumer Spirits
John Leeder, managing director of Leeder Analytical Laboratory, stated that tert-butyl alcohol is typically found in industrial products and not in beverages produced for human consumption. The lab also identified glycerine, which can act as a sweetener or masking agent to hide the chemical taste of adulterants.
Dr. Michala Kowalski of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre described the results as “quite terrifying.” She noted that a mixture of alcohol and tert-butyl alcohol is commonly used as a base for hand sanitizers or perfumes, not drinks. According to Dr. Kowalski, the glycerine levels found could cause significant gastrointestinal distress, including nausea and diarrhea for several days.
Did you know? High doses of tert-butyl alcohol in animal studies have been linked to kidney and thyroid cancers, abnormal movements, and mortality, according to addiction medicine specialist Dr. Eric Hadinata.
The Economics of Illicit Alcohol in Australia
Australia’s high alcohol taxes create a financial incentive for the illicit liquor market. A standard 700ml bottle of 40% ABV spirits carries a tax of $30. Because of this, any bottle retailing for $35 or less is considered a “red flag” for tax evasion, according to Dr. Kowalski.
The scale of the problem is significant. Dr. Kowalski’s team audited about 200 stores across Australia’s eastern seaboard and found that 30 per cent were stocking illicit alcohol products. Some of these samples contained methanol and plasticizers, both of which can cause long-term damage.
How Illicit Spirits Enter the Market
According to the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, there are three primary ways these products reach shelves:
- Fraudulent manufacturing to avoid all taxes.
- Licensed distilleries under-reporting sales to evade excise duty.
- Smuggling alcohol into the country without paying duties.
Regulatory Gaps and Corporate Responses
Current Australian regulations require a liquor license to sell alcohol, but bottle shop owners are not legally required to verify if their suppliers are licensed or compliant. This loophole allows contaminated products to enter legitimate retail chains.
Metcash, which owns IGA, stated it is investigating the matter and believes the specific retailer was unaware the product was illicit. The company noted that IGA stores often source from small, local producers to tailor their ranges.
Tuscani Beverages, the company behind the Dirty George label, denied knowledge of contaminants. Director Steve James alleged that counterfeiters were copying the brand, claiming, “We don’t manufacture… we get that made from a manufacturer.” Lawyers for Tuscani Beverages maintained that all genuine products are made in licensed facilities and that the company has received no notice of non-compliance from regulators.
Pro Tip: Check your bottle for “red flags.” The contaminated Dirty George bottle lacked batch details, had an incorrect pregnancy warning, and featured a faulty cap.
Calls for Medical and Legal Reform
Dr. Eric Hadinata is calling for hospitals in Victoria to include tert-butyl alcohol in their emergency department toxicology panels. This would allow doctors to identify if organ damage in substance-affected patients is being caused by hidden industrial adulterants.
Dr. Hadinata also argued that producing contaminated alcohol should be treated as a criminal offense, comparing it to “spiking your drink” with a substance without consent. Meanwhile, Dr. Kowalski has urged Australia to adopt the European Union’s model of randomized quality control testing for all food and beverage products to restore consumer confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tert-butyl alcohol?
It is a petrochemical used in industrial cleaners and paint strippers. It is not intended for human consumption.
Why is the price of vodka a warning sign?
Because Australian excise tax on a 700ml bottle (40% ABV) is $30, prices near or below $35 often indicate the tax was evaded, which is common in illicit alcohol.
Who is responsible for regulating this?
The issue involves multiple agencies. Reports can be directed to the Victorian Department of Health, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), local councils, and the newly established Safe Food Victoria.
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