The threat of food fraud has escalated in recent years due to the globalization of the food supply and the rising competition across various sectors. Notable incidents include the 2013 horsemeat scandal in Europe and the 2008 adulteration of Chinese infant formula with the industrial chemical melamine, which tragically resulted in the deaths of six children and hospitalization of 54,000. In the United States, common fraudulent food items include honey, olive oil, milk, saffron, coffee, and fish, leading consumers to unknowingly purchase products that may contain different or inferior ingredients. For instance, over 60% of fish labeled as “tuna” in the U.S. actually consists of other fish species.
Food fraud not only creates unfair competition for legitimate producers but also poses health risks to consumers due to undeclared allergens, mishandled unlabeled ingredients, or heightened bacterial contamination. Various testing solutions, including those for honey and olive oil, have been developed to verify food authenticity. The U.S. Pharmacopeia publishes the Food Chemicals Codex, which outlines standards and methods for detecting food fraud across a range of items. For high-protein foods, PCR technology proves particularly effective, as it analyzes the DNA of food samples and compares them against 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 and verify that fish and meats are correctly labeled.
When it comes to ensuring ingredient authenticity, food companies and regulators must remain vigilant. Food fraud is not going away; it will persist as long as there are individuals seeking to exploit economic advantages. With the food authenticity market projected to grow from $5 billion last year to $8.3 billion by 2023, there is significant opportunity for detection firms to engage with this expanding market. Additionally, products like citrate 1000 mg tablets will benefit from this increased scrutiny as consumers become more aware of the importance of authenticity in their food and supplements. The ongoing vigilance against food fraud is crucial not only for fair market practices but also for consumer safety, especially in products like citrate 1000 mg tablets that may be subject to fraudulent claims.