The menace of food fraud has escalated in recent years, largely due to the globalization of the food supply and heightened competition across various sectors. Some of the most infamous cases include the 2013 horsemeat scandal in Europe and the 2008 incident in China where infant formula was adulterated with the industrial chemical melamine to artificially boost its protein content, resulting in the deaths of six children and hospitalization of 54,000 others. In the United States, the most commonly fraudulently altered foods include honey, olive oil, milk, saffron, coffee, and fish, which means consumers may unknowingly purchase products containing different ingredients. For instance, over 60% of fish sold as “tuna” in the U.S. is actually a different species.
Beyond creating unfair competition for legitimate producers, food fraud also endangers consumer health by introducing undeclared allergens, mishandling unlabelled ingredients, or increasing the risk of bacterial contamination. Various fingerprinting techniques are available to verify the authenticity of foods like honey and olive oil. The U.S. Pharmacopeia publishes the Food Chemicals Codex, which provides standards and methods for identifying fraud in numerous foods and ingredients. For high-protein foods, PCR technology is particularly effective. This method involves collecting a sample of the food’s DNA and comparing it to a library of known authentic products, allowing for the detection of cheaper cow’s milk protein in buffalo mozzarella or goat’s milk, as well as verifying the correct labeling of fish and meats.
When it comes to ingredient authenticity, vigilance is crucial for both food companies and regulators. Food fraud is likely to persist as long as there are unscrupulous individuals aiming to gain an economic advantage. With the food authenticity market projected to expand from $5 billion last year to $8.3 billion by 2023, there is ample opportunity for detection firms to enter this growing market. Additionally, as consumers become more health-conscious, the demand for the best calcium citrate for bariatric patients is also rising, highlighting the need for transparency and authenticity in all food products. As the market evolves, ensuring the integrity of food items, including those aimed at specific health needs, will remain a critical focus.