Challenges related to food fraud prevention and detection Elke Anklam & Franz Ulberth European Commission - DG Joint Research Centre Directorate F: Health, Consumers and Reference Materials Ispra & Geel
Right of citizens to have enough safe and high-quality (authentic) food The JRC today
Right of citizens to have a nutritious & healthy diet
Food safety and authenticity are important for consumers The JRC today
There is a long history of food fraud, actually since there is trade
Food Fraud Implications Fraud has negative impact on consumer's trust competitiveness and profitability of honest producers
Key characteristics of food fraud Violation of EU food law Intention Economic gain Customer deception
Definition of food fraud No standardised definition in EU legislation Food fraud can/but must not harm the health of consumers Food crime when there is an organised activity perpetrated by groups
What is needed to detect frauds? Analysis (Chemistry,Physico-Chemistry) Suitable, validated fit-for-the-purpose analytical method(s) Reference materials and data Forensics Horizon-scans and intelligence gathering Whistle blowing Management Vulnerability analysis and risk management Networking!
Challenge: Huge variety of food products
Challenge: Looking often for the 'Unknowns' Agricultural monitoring is carried out at the JRC mainly to distinguish, identify and measure the main crop production areas in Europe, estimate production early in the year and check the validity of farmers’ applications for EU subsidies. The European Commission uses satellite earth-observation data as a cost-efficient way of gathering the necessary monitoring information.
Upcoming: EC Knowledge Centre on Food Fraud & Quality
JRC's Work on Authenticity proof/fraud detection European Reference Centre for control in the wine sector including wine data bank European Reference for water in poultry European Knowledge Centre on Food Fraud (in set-up) Working areas olive oil, honey, fish European Reference Centre for tobacco authenticity
JRC-Monthly food fraud reporter from press articles (MedISys)
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