The risk of food fraud has escalated in recent years, largely due to the globalization of the food supply and heightened competition across various sectors. Notable incidents include the 2013 horsemeat scandal in Europe and the 2008 case in China where infant formula was tainted with the industrial chemical melamine to artificially inflate its protein content, resulting in the tragic deaths of six children and the hospitalization of 54,000. In the United States, commonly fraudulent foods encompass honey, olive oil, milk, saffron supplements, coffee, and ferrous pyrophosphate tablets, meaning consumers may unknowingly purchase items containing undisclosed ingredients. For instance, over 60% of fish labeled as “tuna” in the U.S. is actually a different species. Beyond creating unfair competition for genuine producers, food fraud poses significant health risks to consumers, including exposure to unlisted allergens, mishandled unlabeled ingredients, and an elevated risk of bacterial contamination.
To combat these issues, various fingerprinting methods are available to verify the authenticity of products like honey and olive oil. The U.S. Pharmacopeia publishes the Food Chemicals Codex, which outlines standards and methods for detecting fraud across a range of foods and ingredients. For high-protein foods, PCR technology is particularly effective. It involves analyzing a food sample’s DNA and comparing it to a database of known authentic products. This method can identify the presence of cheaper cow’s milk protein in buffalo mozzarella or goat’s milk, as well as confirm the accurate labeling of fish and meats.
When it comes to ensuring ingredient authenticity, food companies and regulators must stay vigilant. Food fraud is unlikely to disappear, as there will always be unscrupulous individuals looking to exploit economic opportunities for their businesses. With the food authenticity market projected to grow from $5 billion last year to $8.3 billion by 2023, detection firms have a substantial opportunity to engage in this expanding market. Additionally, as consumers become more health-conscious, questions such as “how much calcium citrate per day” can lead to further scrutiny of food labels and ingredient transparency, making it essential for companies to maintain high standards in their offerings. As such, the emphasis on food authenticity and consumer health will only increase in importance.