Genuine or Counterfeit? How To Tell.

Is the product you’re holding genuine?

The war against counterfeits in the country is on a gradual rise. According to the Anti-Counterfeiting Agency (ACA), alcoholic drinks make the top-5 list of the most affected items.

Counterfeit trafficking stands for seven percent of the world’s trade. Local bodies like Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) have been at the forefront of educating the consumer on how to protect themselves against exploitation. But counterfeiters are getting smarter and more innovative, with ways likely to fool even the most experienced eye.

Two ways to check for fake liquor

Thanks to advancements in technology, here are two Smartphone Apps that you can use to find counterfeit liquor in Kenya.

1. Soma Label app by KRA

KRA, in their bid to tackle tax evasion, consumer exploitation and counterfeit trading, recently launched Soma Label App, an alcohol barcode scanner to identify the origin of a product.

How It Works

The Soma Label App works by first scanning the Quick Response Code (QRC) of a product (the sticker at the top of a bottle), and afterwards scanning the barcode of the product. Then it displays the product details, i.e., Name of Product, Manufacturer, Batch Number, Date of Manufacture, and Expiry Date. The QRC is a new generation stamp, under the Electronic Goods Management System (EGMS), whose aim is to combat illicit trade and sealing revenue leakage loopholes, therefore enhancing compliance.

So how do you tell whether a product is genuine or a counterfeit? When using the Soma Label app and the product’s Quick Response Code matches the database of KRA, it means the taxes on this product were paid for and the company importing the drink has its details registered with KRA. If the App does not give you positive feedback with details, the chance is high that it was brought in illicitly and could be counterfeit.

Using the KEBS APP

How it Works

Just like KRA’s Soma Label, the KEBS App also works by scanning a product’s barcode. Genuine products, after scanning using the App, should reveal details about the product, such as Importer Name, Brand Name, Product Name and Country of Origin.

KEBS also introduced a text messaging service for consumers on its 40^th anniversary, where consumers needed to use a mobile short messaging service to send a product’s code to 20023 for instant feedback about the product’s validity.

You can rest assured Oaks & Corks only works with genuine partners and on top we do regular checks on the drinks we receive. You can order genuine wine, beer or liquor from us: alcohol delivery.