The European Commission’s recent report highlights a concerning trend on the rise of food and product fraud suspicions across European countries, reaching 345 cases in March alone. While not all cases are confirmed, these suspicions underscore the importance of traceability and safeguarding products against fraud to maintain brand reputation. The report, sourced from various networks including RASFF and AAC, covers a range of food products, emphasizing the need for robust controls and risk assessments.
Key findings reveal that border inspections and market controls are the main primary detection methods, with some cases only uncovered through whistleblower reports and media monitoring. While the report comes from the European Commission, the report highlights a few cases involving the United States signaling the global nature of this issue. The first three reports for 2024 see fruit and vegetables, dietetic foods, food supplements and fortified foods at the top the list of affected products, with a number of tampering incidents involving unauthorized additives and product adulteration.
Diving a little into the instances of tampering, Natural Trace sees altering best-before dates and falsifying producer information, raising alarms about the integrity of supply chains. Notable examples include quality classifications of olive oil, traceability defects of herbs and spices and concerns over transport temperatures. Additionally, the presence of unapproved ingredients and pesticides above maximum limits further highlights vulnerabilities and possible gaps in the system.
To combat these challenges, companies are strongly encouraged to leverage new preventative technologies and prioritize traceability measures to protect their products and uphold consumer trust. This proactive approach is crucial in mitigating risks and safeguarding brand integrity in an increasingly complex global market.
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March FFN report: https://food.ec.europa.eu/document/download/0065adf6-9a58-452a-beec-09aaa95d9e8a_en?filename=ff_ffn_monthly-report_202403.pdf
Reference article here: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/04/suspected-fraud-reports-rise-in-europe/
