Don’t Drink Leathered Aquavit

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is advising consumers not to drink a product from a Minneapolis distillery because it uses nonfood grade leather in its production.

The department issued the consumer notice Thursday afternoon, demanding Norseman Distillery immediately stop producing its Leathered Aquavit.

Owner Scott Ervin says he was surprised when the department send him an email shortly after because state and federal officials had already approved the product.

The department said a consumer complaint brought the ingredient to its attention. Ervin says the state agency plans to empty the warehouse of Norseman's distributor Friday.

No illnesses related to the project have been reported. It bears a label alerting consumers to its ingredients.

Aquavit is a spirit made from potatoes or grain. Norseman added the leather for flavoring and began distributing it this month.