Bombay Sapphire: Gin made accidentally twice as strong is being recalled in Canada

The bottles contain 77% alcohol, rather than the typical 40%

The firm says the affected batch is only being sold in Canada (Getty Images)

Bottles of Bombay Sapphire gin are being recalled – because they contain too much alcohol.

Batches in Canada are being recalled by the country’s health authorities, who say a “small number” of bottles contain nearly double the advertised amount of alcohol.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the bottles were found to contain 77% alcohol, rather than the typical 40%.

An “isolated customer complaint” followed by a series of product checks sparked the recall, according to owner Bacardi.

The firm sells alcohol products around the world including Grey Goose Vodka and several well-known rum products.

The firm says the affected batch is only being sold in Canada, and people who return bottles will have their money refunded.

A spokesman added: “We do not recommend consumption of this product.”

The recall started in Ontario but the move was soon followed by four other liquor authorities across the country.

A spokesman for the Ontario Liquor Control Board said: “One batch was bottles before correct dilution to achieve the stated 40% alcohol content by volume.

“As a result, the affected batch has alcohol content by volume of 77%.

“This product is not safe for consumption. Consuming a product with an alcohol content of 77% could cause serious illness.”

No illnesses associated with the faulty batch have been reported.

It’s the latest alcohol recall in Canada, following an issue in March in which hundreds of bottles of Georgia Bay Vodka containing 81% vodka were removed from shelves.

The increased alcohol content was due to the bottles not being properly diluted.