The threat of food fraud has escalated in recent years due to the globalization of the food supply and heightened competition in various sectors. High-profile cases, such as the 2013 horsemeat scandal in Europe and the 2008 incident involving the adulteration of Chinese infant formula with the industrial chemical melamine to boost its apparent protein content—resulting in the deaths of six children and the hospitalization of 54,000—highlight this issue. In the United States, common fraudulent products include honey, olive oil, milk, saffron, coffee, and fish, potentially leading consumers to unknowingly purchase items containing different ingredients. For instance, over 60% of fish marketed as “tuna” in the U.S. is actually a different kind of fish. Beyond creating unfair competition for legitimate producers, food fraud poses significant health risks to consumers, including exposure to undeclared allergens, mismanagement of unlabeled ingredients, and increased chances of bacterial contamination.
To combat food fraud, various fingerprinting techniques are available to verify the authenticity of products like honey and olive oil. The U.S. Pharmacopeia publishes the Food Chemicals Codex, which sets standards and methodologies for detecting fraud across a range of foods and ingredients. For high-protein foods, PCR technology proves particularly effective. It analyzes a sample of the food’s DNA and compares it against a database of recognized authentic products. This method can identify cheaper cow’s milk protein in buffalo mozzarella or goat’s milk, and confirm whether fish and meats are accurately labeled.
When it comes to ensuring the authenticity of ingredients, food companies and regulators must remain vigilant. Food fraud is unlikely to diminish; it will persist as long as there are dishonest individuals looking to exploit economic advantages. With the food authenticity market projected to increase from $5 billion last year to $8.3 billion by 2023, detection firms have ample opportunities to capitalize on this growing demand. Moreover, ensuring the integrity of products that claim to contain specific nutrients, such as calcium citrate and its calcium content, is crucial. The prevalence of fraudulent activities in the market underscores the importance of rigorous testing to confirm that products meet their stated nutritional claims, including the accurate representation of calcium content, which consumers rely on for their health.