Europe saw a dramatic increase in food fraud notifications over the past 20 years. From zero in 1999, to double digits in 2003, and triple digits in 2011. China, India, and Turkey were major contributors. lately, also Nigerian products triggered a large number of alerts.
The Food Mafia is an investigative report aired on the German public TV station 3Sat. It was a broad coverage about how food fraud can happen, how organized crime is increasingly getting involved in this lucrative business, why it goes uncovered for so long and which role government authorities and state attorneys play in preventing fraudsters from being caught.
A report (September 2018) of the European Commission states that European Member States face a continuous reduction of staff in inspection and competent authorities. It lead to a situation where "risk-based controls are not applied in all areas where such controls are warranted". In plain English: European consumers are at risk because governments save at the wrong end.
Food fraud includes many aspects like dilution substitution and adulteration. What most definitions do not include is laboratory fraud. And we have seen a few cases recently from major laboratory networks. Do we need to add that and should we collectively refer to these terms more accurately as food crime? Now the Brazilian government has banned involved laboratories from inspection and withdrew their ISO 17025 accreditation.
The roundtable was comprised of the CEOs and a CTO of four startup companies: Allergy Amulet represented by Abigail Barnes, Consumer Physics by Dror Sharon, Dots Corporation by Renuka Babu, and Nima Labs by Francisco Dias Lourenco. Benefits and challenges of consumer analytical devices were discussed. Risk communication was highlighted as important.
What have we learned in 20 years of food allergen analysis? Have we found answers to the most important questions? Are we facing new challenges? This article provides an overview about developments and status quo.
Scare- and fear-mongering have become constant when it comes to food. Potentially dangerous chemicals like dihydrogen monoxide make headlines. It is difficult for consumers to understand risk and risk assessment if the media pick up any (un-)qualified article that will make a good headline, but contributes nothing to the actual understanding of health implications (if any). It is imperative that companies, organizations and especially risk assessment agencies show more transparency and gain consumer trust, rather than allowing pseudo-science to take over.
The German Federal Agency for Risk Assessment (BfR) published its recommendation for lead and Cadmium in infant formula and food for small children.
2017 numerous major food manufacturer decided to leave the Grocery Manufacturing Association (GMA) and some also ILSI North America. What followed was the formation of the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance (SFPA) by Mars, Danone, Unilever and Nestlé. It offers a fresh start. But will it solve all issues? Who will win when GMA and SFPA argue for opposite developments?
