The Fight Against Food Fraud
Grant Cropper,
Environmental Compliance and Training Manager,
red24
Although there may be no statutory definition of food fraud, academics
such as Professor Elliott have suggested that there may be a clear distinction
between Food Fraud and Food Crime. In both cases, there is clear intent to dilute,
mislabel or substitute food and food ingredients for economic gain. Food fraud/crime
is estimated to cost the global
food industry $11 billion a year, and consumers £424 per year (source:
newfoodmagazine.com. 24/02/2016). In an attempt to combat this lucrative
activity, nations have successfully collaborated. It is estimated as part of the latest Opson Operation (Operation
IV) 10,000 tonnes
and one million litres of hazardous fake food and drink have been seized in
operations across 57 countries in an INTERPOL-Europol coordinated initiative to
protect public health and safety.
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