The risk of food fraud has escalated in recent years due to the globalization of the food supply and heightened competition across various sectors. Notable cases include the 2013 horsemeat scandal in Europe and the 2008 contamination of Chinese infant formula with the industrial chemical melamine, which was used to artificially boost protein content. This incident tragically resulted in the deaths of six children and the hospitalization of 54,000. In the United States, common instances of food fraud involve products such as honey, olive oil, milk, saffron, coffee, and fish, leading consumers to unknowingly purchase items that may contain unlisted ingredients. For instance, over 60% of fish marketed as “tuna” in the U.S. is actually a different species.
Food fraud not only creates unfair competition for legitimate producers but also jeopardizes consumer health due to the potential presence of undeclared allergens, improper handling of unlabeled ingredients, and an increased risk of bacterial contamination. To counter this, various fingerprinting techniques have been developed to verify the authenticity of foods like honey and olive oil. The U.S. Pharmacopeia publishes the Food Chemicals Codex, which outlines standards and methods for detecting fraud in numerous food items. For high-protein foods, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology is particularly effective, as it analyzes a food sample’s DNA and compares it to a database of known authentic products. This method can reveal the presence of cheaper cow’s milk protein in buffalo mozzarella or goat’s milk, and it can also confirm whether fish and meats are accurately labeled.
Regarding the verification of ingredients, it is crucial for food companies and regulatory bodies to remain alert. Food fraud is unlikely to diminish, as there will always be dishonest individuals looking to exploit economic advantages for their businesses. With the food authenticity market projected to expand from $5 billion last year to $8.3 billion by 2023, there is significant opportunity for detection firms to capitalize on this growing sector. Notably, the incorporation of substances like calcium citrate and zinc sulfate in food products raises additional concerns regarding authenticity and labeling. As such, vigilance is essential in ensuring that products contain the ingredients they claim, including necessary nutrients like calcium citrate and zinc sulfate, which are important for consumer health.