Vodka Jelly faces Irish bid to ban it

Vintners' Federation claims London-based product targets children

The largest licensees' association in the Irish Republic has advised members not to stock or sell Bad Vodka Jelly and has called for it to be banned.

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland, which represents more than 6,000 publicans across the country, claims that the product, which contains 15 per cent alcohol, is aimed at children.

Federation chief executive Tadg O'Sullivan said: "I can't imagine any adult being seen dead with one of these things in their hands, so it is quite clear who the target market is. We don't need this type of product here and we don't want to see it being sold in pubs, clubs, off-licences, discos or anywhere else."

The London-based manufacturers of Bad Vodka Jelly, which comes in a range of fruit flavours, had sent a complementary case of the product to the Federation.

But Mr O'Sullivan sent back a strongly worded reply that his organisation "has no interest in having anything to do with it".

The controversy follows increasing community and government concern about underage drinking in Ireland, with both publicans and drinks companies under fire for allegedly contributing to the problem. Tough new legislation has been introduced recently allowing the temporary closure of pubs convicted of selling to underage customers.

According to Mr O'Sullivan, the Irish consumer affairs minister, Tom Kitt, shares the Federation's concern over the Bad Vodka Jelly product. But the minister has so far given no indication that he intends to act to ban it.

A statement issued by the Bad Jelly Company said the product was only available in the on-trade and was therefore restricted to an adult environment.

It said: "There has been no external marketing that could be seen by underage drinkers, there is no place for this audience to purchase the product and the allegation that the brand is aimed at children or young teenagers is not only offensive but also wholly inaccurate."