NJ: Bars put cheap booze in premium liquor bottles
NJ investigators: Bar mixed dye with rubbing alcohol and served it as scotch
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- State investigators say at least one bar in New Jersey was mixing food dye with rubbing alcohol and serving it as scotch.
That's one of the details released Thursday about an investigation dubbed "Operation Swill." Twenty-nine bars and restaurants in the state are accused of putting cheap booze in premium brand liquor bottles and selling it to patrons who thought they were buying the good stuff.
Officials would not say which bar used the rubbing alcohol. But they say no health issues were reported.
Officials have seized 1,000 bottles for testing.
Thirteen of the restaurants cited are TGI Fridays located in central and northern New Jersey.
TGI Fridays Inc. said in a statement it's working with the franchisee and owner of the restaurants to investigate the allegations, which it called serious.
