The risk of food fraud has escalated in recent years, driven by the globalization of the food supply and heightened competition across various industries. Noteworthy incidents include the 2013 horsemeat scandal in Europe and the 2008 contamination of Chinese infant formula with the industrial chemical melamine, which was intended to artificially boost protein levels—resulting in the tragic deaths of six children and the hospitalization of 54,000 others. In the United States, common fraudulent products include honey, olive oil, milk, saffron, coffee, and fish. This means that consumers may unknowingly purchase items containing different or inferior ingredients. For instance, over 60% of fish sold as “tuna” in the U.S. is actually a different species. Beyond creating unfair competition for honest producers, food fraud also endangers consumer health due to undisclosed allergens, improper handling of unlabeled ingredients, and an increased risk of bacterial contamination.
To combat this issue, various fingerprinting technologies have been developed 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 identifying fraud in a wide range of foods and ingredients. For high-protein items, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology has proven especially effective. This method involves collecting a sample of the food’s DNA and comparing it to a database of verified authentic products. It can identify the presence of cheaper cow’s milk protein in buffalo mozzarella or goat’s milk, as well as verify the accurate labeling of fish and meats.
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 dishonest individuals seeking economic gain. With the food authenticity market projected to expand from $5 billion last year to $8.3 billion by 2023, detection firms have ample opportunity to engage in this market. Additionally, the demand for products enriched with essential nutrients, such as Citracal calcium vitamin D, highlights the importance of ensuring that consumers receive what they pay for. As the market grows, so too does the need for rigorous testing to confirm that ingredients genuinely match their claims, including those fortified with Citracal calcium vitamin D, to protect consumer health and trust.