Publication of the 2020 annual report on food fraud

The European Food Fraud Network has just published its 2020 annual report.

Fraudulent activities that impact the agri-food chain can pose a risk to consumers.

The number of requests for administrative assistance for suspected food fraud rose from 292 in 2019 to 349 in 2020, an increase of 20%.

Below is the number of suspected cases of fraud by product type:

Oils and fats: 51 (olive oil was the most frequently reported).
Fish and fish products: 34 (illegal treatments: undeclared addition of water, nitrates, carbon monoxide)
Poultry and poultry products: 28
Honey and royal jelly: 25
Meat and meat products (excluding poultry): 25
Food supplements, fortified foods, dietetic foods: 22
Fruits and vegetables: 21
Wines and alcoholic beverages: 12
Plant protection products: 11
Cephalopods, crustaceans, and related products: 10
Herbs and spices: 9
Milk and dairy products: 8
Other products: 43

Five types of non-compliance were listed:

37% concern incorrect labeling, for example when non-extra virgin olive oil is presented as extra virgin.
25% concerned falsification of documents or traceability issues.
21% concerned replacement/dilution/addition/removal in the product: this refers to the process of mixing or replacing a high-value ingredient with a low-value ingredient, such as watering down wine, for example.
13% concern unapproved treatment and/or processes: tuna treated with nitrite.
4% concern violation of intellectual property rights: this refers to counterfeit products.