An urgent recall has been issued for a popular champagne over fears some bottles have been spiked with ecstasy.
One man has died and 11 other people became seriously ill after drinking from the expensive bottle of bubbly, according to the manufacturer.
An urgent recall has been issued for the three-litre bottle of Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial with a lot number LAJ7QAB6780004 by health authorities in the Netherlands and Germany.
The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) said there is the possible presence of ecstasy in these bottles, which were sold for hundreds of euros online through a yet-unknown website.
The producer, Moët Hennessy, confirmed that in Germany, its consumption led to one death and seven very serious illnesses. It says there were an additional four cases of illness in the Netherlands.
The FASFC added that it is not known how the MDMA ended up in these bottles, but at this stage of their investigation it cannot be excluded that other bottles of the same brand also contain the drug.
In a statement, the group said: “According to the current investigation, the affected bottles have the lot number LAJ7QAB6780004. This number is on the label on the back of the bottle.
“The bottles have a coating, it is not possible to distinguish the bottles filled with MDMA from bottles filled with champagne. However, when pouring, there is a clear difference.
“Champagne with liquid MDMA is said to have the following characteristics: This one is not fizzing, this one would have a reddish brown colour which darkens over time, this one would have a different scent.”
Anyone who has a bottle in their possession is being warned to not drink it.
“Even tasting the liquid, even without swallowing, can lead to serious health problems. If you have swallowed the liquid, call the poison control centre immediately,” the FASFC said.
