Risk of consumers being sold adulterated produce is rising

Synopsis

Food fraud costs the global economy billions and poses serious health risks. Past scandals include fake olive oil in Spain and melamine-laced milk in China, leading to severe illnesses and deaths. Currently, food fraud affects at least 1% of the Global Food trade, costing up to $40 billion annually. High food prices, driven by the war in Ukraine and climate change, tempt criminals to sell cheap or contaminated food as premium products. Food inflation has reached historic highs in the UK, U.S., and Europe. The UK's food standards agency warns of increased vulnerability to large-scale fraud, with investigations into a meat supplier falsely claiming foreign pork as British. In the EU, nearly half of the honey imported may be fake, a practice known as honey laundering. In December 2022, Europol uncovered a Spanish criminal network selling unfit horse meat. The most affected food groups include meat, dairy, seafood, spices, and alcohol, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced supply chain diligence.