Alcohol Manufacturer Adds Viagra to Drinks

Huang's alcoholic drinks with rogue ingredient (Picture: Reuters)

A Chinese alcohol manufacturer has been arrested for ‘improving’ his drinks with Viagra in order to trigger a rise in his profits.

The "entrepreneur" known only as Mr Huang, the liquor maker was unable to continue the illegal practice after his customers noticed the unusual side-effect of drinking the spirits. The drinks were marketed by Nine Springs Ecological Agriculture Development Company in Hubei province, as ‘nutritional healthy liquor’ and sold at prices of up to 60 yuan (£5.85) per bottle.

The company was said to have purchased 1kg of Sildenafil – marketed as Viagra and Revatio – on the internet in January and added it to his alcoholic beverages without mentioning it on the label, Huang said his motivation was to ‘increase alcohol sales and make money fast’, according to CNA.

Huang admitted he knew that it was against the law and may have to take a long, hard look at his business methods in future. It is unknown whether sales of Huang’s alcohol rose during the period that the Sildenafil was added.

Council Approves Alcohol Licence for ‘Beer Mat Bar’

Image Credit to Getsurrey

After exploiting a legal loophole for a lengthy period, Innsatiable the "furniture shop" in Farnham will soon become a legitimately-licensed venue

The venue which used to serve alcohol in return for the purchase of beer mats was ordered to close back in June following an undercover police raid.

Its owner, Simon Atkins, originally intended to reopen by exploiting the same legal loophole it used before, but later opted to apply for a licence, saying he had "nothing left to prove".

On Monday Atkins and his business partner Nicola Green, argued his case in front of Waverley Borough Council's licensing sub-committee, after an objection from a Farnham resident thwarted the chance of the licence being granted without a hearing.

After protracted negotiations, Surrey Police supported the licence application on the basis that the hours were restricted to 10am till 11.30pm on Monday to Thursday, 10am till 12.30am on Friday to Saturday, and 10am till 11pm on Sunday,. Innsatiable now plan to stage a reopening party on August 23

Despite going legitimate in Farnham, Mr Atkins plans to open an unlicensed bar along the Innsatiable model in central London within the next few months.

More detail on this story can be found here: getsurrey.co.uk

Police May Charge Drunks for Custody

Tony Hogg (image credit north devon journal)

Tony Hogg, Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner, has pledged to “explore every avenue that will help resolve this alcohol related crisis” including charging drunks for their time in custody.

Alcohol is thought to have been involved in more than 10,000 violent attacks last year while the overall annual cost to society in Devon and Cornwall is estimated at massive £366 million. (A 12-hour stay in custody costs Police about £245.)

He has confirmed he is looking at proposals which would see drunk yobs charged for their time in custody – in addition to criminal punishments such as fines. “The drinker who cannot control their behavior when they are drunk should be made to bear the consequences of their actions. I would like to explore whether we can charge drinkers for their time spent in the cells. Police officers have to ensure that they remain safe overnight, often we have to call in medical assistance. It is the taxpayer that pays for all of this. Police officers that are looking after drunks in the cells are not patrolling the streets. Doctors and nurses that do the same are being diverted away from more deserving patients. My office and I will continue to explore ways to make the problem drinker bear more responsibility for the harm and cost they create that they create."

The Association of Chief Police Officers floated the idea of establishing “drunk tanks”, which are common in some European countries and the United States, late last year. It believes a commercially-run operation – for which people would effectively have to pay for their care – would free up officers and act as an added deterrent.

Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton said: “I think it is a really good idea and we welcome the chance to work with the commission to see how we can implement it.”

Source northdevonjournal

Don't Have a Drink Two Days Running

Latest official guidance from health quango "Britons should avoid drinking alcohol on consecutive days". Public Health England said further this action was required because of the rising toll of health problems linked to drinking which are estimated to cost the country £21billion

Public Health England says the ‘one day on, one day off’ rule is needed because daily drinking is a key contributor to increased health risks. The proposed guidance has been branded ‘nannying’ by critics who say that the new guidelines would simply worry those who drink moderate amounts – and would do little to tackle those who binge-drink or have an alcohol problem.

Experts questioned if there was any evidence that it would actually decrease health risks. GP Dr Martin Scurr said: ‘Giving up alcohol on alternate days is not something most doctors would recognise as a helpful strategy to curb excessive drinking.’ Drinking regularly in moderation was ‘better and safer for health than abstinence’, he said, claiming the ‘middle-aged, middle-class drinker’ should not be ‘made to feel guilty over having a restorative glass of wine every day’.

Tory MP Gerald Howarth called it ‘completely unrealistic’, adding: ‘People have the common sense to know how to look after themselves.’

The official document a marketing strategy drawn up by PHE. It suggests initially starting the campaign for ‘drink free days’ on a regional basis. If successful, much stronger guidance could then be made official across the country. The recommendation also adds that Regular drinking ‘over the lower-risk guideline’ – meaning anything more than one large glass of wine for a woman or one to two pints of lager for a man – can ‘become a problem’. Women are told not to drink more than three units a day, while men are allowed four. A large glass of wine is typically three units, while a pint of lager is just over two.

Source: DailyMail

Deep-Fried Alcohol Goes on Sale in the UK

John Clarkson and his wife Corinne in Lancashire, have created the world’s first deep-fried alcohol, They launched the colourful £3 products at a local event and the treats sold out within hours.

As you can see from the image the fried alcohol is rather interesting looking and despite its look might possible be the best pub snack available.

John and Corrine used the traditional British sherry trifle as their inspiration behind their creations. Making the snack includes soaking sponge in an alcoholic beverage such as Bailey’s or strawberries and cream Sidekick, sour apple schnapps is also involved.

(Picture: Cavendish Press)