Food Authenticity Network

Looking forward to "Food Crime and Recalls" UK AFP conference in Cardiff 5 November. Unfortunately, tickets are hotter than for feuding Manchester brothers fundraising for their divorce settlements. But there is still a cancellations list. Contact ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre It should be a great event, with A-list speakers from regulators, retailers, solicitors and academia. The fact it is fully subscribed is a testament to the calibre and interest in the topic (and, of course, the attraction of the "UK's most sociable city", according to The Guardian in 2014)

Could AI Ever Predict Fraud? The limiting factor in AI development is collecting fully representative training data sets. This was emphasised by Nik Watson in his excellent talk at #ifstac24 this week. The literature is littered with proof-of-concept studies for predictive models based on reported #foodfraud incidents. But the number of current fraud reports, however well data are shared (and, currently, there is certainly room for improvement!) will never represent all the real-life variables. Many incidents are viewed as “Black Swan” events. The JRC have published a technical report (link in the comments) recommending developing a new #foodfraud predictive analytics model. For this to work, we (globally) would need to digitally log, record and share many more fraud incidents and suspicions. The alternative, rather than training AI using past incidents, is to wait for a sufficiently large and complex model to predict fraud risk from future food commodity supply-and-demand drivers. When such a model exists, it is inevitable that financial commodity traders will corner it before food industry Technical Managers. But, at current AI-training pace, this seems imaginable within another 12 months. (plus the carbon emissions of a small continent). Graphic from the JRC report.

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 - 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 Food is the third most basic human need after air and water – everyone should have the right to adequate food. The Food Authenticity Network (FAN) (https://lnkd.in/dn9FEp6) provides free resources worldwide to disseminate best practice, information and tools to defend against food fraud. Food fraud is a concern for everyone because it can be harmful to both consumers and businesses. Food fraud can include: • Selling food that's not what it's labelled as. • Using cheaper ingredients than what's listed on the label. •Introducing allergenic ingredients (unlabelled). • Diverting food that's not fit for human consumption back into the supply chain. Visit FAN to learn more about our Network and the tools available to fight #mislabelling and #foodfraud. #WorldFoodDay #FoodAuthenticity #FoodSecurity #FoodSafety

Evidence: Food Fraud Mitigation Works. A good news story from the scientific literature. Researchers tested #seafood mislabelling rates in Los Angeles restaurants over a 10-year period. There was a significant improvement in those restaurants that implemented simple safeguards against fraud compared to those that did not. (albeit from a low baseline – 30% mislabelling of sushi). FAN members can access fraud mitigation tools fit for the simplest restaurant or the most complex multinational food manufacturer. Sign up for free. (Links to the article and for FAN sign-up in the comments) Photo by Hennie Stander on Unsplash

Campaign to recruit new members to UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Food Authenticity Methodology Working Group (AMWG) Applications are welcomed from any candidate who has the knowledge, skills and experience required for the role and who meets the essential criteria. More information about the role can be found in the Candidate Pack (https://lnkd.in/ex8iJTFw). The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Friday 15th November 2024. Information about the vacancies is given below: The AMWG is a non-statutory expert committee of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The Committee provides expert advice on research carried out under Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme and is accountable to the Agri-Food Science Team within Defra’s Agri-Food Chain Directorate.  The Chairs of expert committees meet annually with Defra’s Chief Scientific Advisor; and provide an annual summary of the work of the Committee to the Science Advisory Council (SAC) for Defra's Annual Report. Defra wants to attract high-calibre and forward-thinking applicants from diverse backgrounds to its expert committees. Applicants will need to demonstrate they are able to carry out a full range of non-executive responsibilities and have relevant skills, knowledge and expertise. Defra is seeking to appoint up to three new members to AMWG to cover the broad range of expertise required.  Applications will be assessed against the following general essential criteria:  * Experience in dealing with complex technical authenticity challenges, recognised expertise in food analysis and an understanding of fitness for purpose requirements and validation concepts for authenticity methods.  * Demonstrable collaborative working and a willingness to enhance the UKs standing in the field of authenticity testing as well as the ability to understand and value different perspectives and to build productive relationships both within and outside the Committee.  * Ability to think analytically and creatively and to contribute effectively to the formulation of sound scientific-based advice and decisions.  * Ability to express views cogently and clearly, to represent views to the Committee and the Committee’s views to Government and other stakeholders. In addition to the above general food authenticity expertise and skills, we are seeking new members who have a good understanding or experience of at least one of the following:  * Physical and chemical methods in particular spectroscopic and screening methods  * Food Industry experience, supply chain assurance and traceability  AI/digital technology  * Molecular Biology and Genetic technologies  *A qualified Public Analyst with experience of Food analysis in a legal setting. If you have any queries by email AMWGSecretariat@defra.gov.uk. 

TO NAME-AND-SHAME FOOD FRAUD?  Türkiye is joining the list of countries that will make their food authenticity enforcement actions public, and name the brands or companies involved. https://lnkd.in/e-djYVfG There are arguments for and against. It is great for intelligence sharing, public information, and for building public trust in the regulator. But – especially for countries with a system of Administrative Fines – the burden of proof is much lower than for a court of law, therefore there is a concern about lack of natural justice or right to appeal. It is also a disincentive for companies to share their dirty laundry with regulators, particularly if they see themselves as the victims rather than the perpetrator of any fraud. There is a more subtle consequence for those, outside these countries, who collate global #foodfraud or #foodsafety incident trends. Global numbers are highly skewed by the few countries that publish. For example, any online count of food fraud incidents will put the Czech Republic near the top of the risk league table. In fact, they just publish every Trading Standards investigation on their excellent Food Pillory website. (your vote is for readers' interest only - we have no intentions to recommend policy, most regulators already have a good evidence-base on which to decide)

(Food) Crime and Punishment: Spanish guardia civil have broken a “fruit mafia” crime ring. Passing off 2 million kg of conventional product as “organic” in 6 months. These quantities imply mainstream supply, not just market stalls and cornershops. https://lnkd.in/ezU-Zygb People often complain that penalties for food crime are too lenient to deter offenders. But, in cases like these, there seems little need for extra “food-specific” laws. Offences within existing law included tax evasion, participation in organised crime, and aggravated fraud. There should be ample scope for proportionate penalties. In a warning to all businesses who rely solely on ingredient/supplier certification as their fraud safeguard, it is reported that this scam included a corrupt laboratory issuing false “pesticide free” certificates of analysis.

How should you react to a major #foodfraud scandal? For example, the Chinese exposee that fuel tankers have been refilling with food-grade vegetable oil for their return journey, without stopping to clean between loads? Should your business frantically start testing your ingredient supply for traces of mineral oils? Or insist that all your vehicle cleaning is filmed by blockchain-enabled cameras? Or, rather, should you think about the root cause. What stresses, within your own business, might prompt someone to wilfully ignore, short-cut, or falsify a #foodsafety procedure or safety check because of pressure on time or financial margins? If you source vegetable oil from Hubei then the answer might be both. For most, though, the latter is more important. Photo by Austrian National Library on Unsplash

UK Strategic Food Crime Assessment 2024 has been published by the FSA & FSS.

Armed heist of half-a-million USD of salmon. A reminder, as #FIG2024 closes, of the violent side of grey-market #foodfraud. You do not go to this much effort to steal this much fish without a route back into the food supply chain already arranged. Some business, somewhere, would be the recipient. Even if unwitting. A reminder to food businesses - never make assumptions about your suppliers. (And even fish farming is a global network. Much European salmon is grown from fry raised in South America) https://lnkd.in/ewE7vAXE