Mexican authorities are warning thousands of bottles of fake Tequila about to be auctioned in Australia at bargain prices "may cause injury if consumed".
More than 550 cases — or 3,400 bottles — of counterfeit Reeba Reeba Tequila are set to go under the hammer next month, as part of a $4 million fire sale sparked by an ABC investigation.
Expressions of interest for the online auction, run by Sydney-based firm Pickles, are already open — leaving Mexican diplomats Down Under seething.
The fake tequila is one of almost 500 lots being offered after disgraced Australian alcohol manufacturer and wholesaler Fernbrew Pty Ltd collapsed in January.
The company was outed by the ABC in June last year for making and marketing fake Scotch and Tequila.
Mexico's Trade Commissioner to Australia, Esau Garza, said Tequila could only be made in certain regions of Mexico and that because Reeba Reeba was manufactured in NSW, consumers could not be sure what it contained.
"Fake tequila poses potential chemical contamination that may cause injury if consumed," he said.
"If 3,000 bottles of fake Tequila become available in the market, that means Australian consumers are at risk of purchasing a product that may affect their health."
Bottles of Reeba Reeba Tequila retail for as little as $28.99, a figure one liquor distributor who wanted to remain anonymous said was "impossible" for an import.
As part of the ABC investigation, the product was tested at an official Tequila laboratory in Mexico, where the spirit's governing body confirmed it was "not linked" to the industry.
Fernbrew went into voluntary administration after the Australian Taxation Office sent it a bill for $87 million.
Pickles is acting on behalf of administrators KordaMentha, who were contacted for comment.
The ABC has been told there has already been significant interest in the auction, which includes a large quantity of beer, wine and spirits, as well as several cars.
