EIT Food’s Post

"Raising awareness and using technology such as blockchain is key" as part of a strategy to mitigate food fraud is precisely why we chose to incorporate blockchain in our AgroLedger trace system.

🔍🍽️ Excited to share my latest Medium article: "Safeguarding Our Plates: Combating Food Fraud Through Innovation" 🛡️🍏 In this enlightening piece, I dive into the critical issue of food fraud and the innovative solutions revolutionizing our approach to food safety and authenticity. From blockchain to spectroscopy and consumer empowerment, this article explores the cutting-edge technologies and strategies being deployed to combat food fraud and ensure the integrity of the food we consume. Join me as we explore the intersection of technology, transparency, and trust in the global food supply chain. Whether you're a food industry professional, consumer advocate, or simply concerned about the safety and authenticity of the food on your plate, this article promises insights that will leave you informed and inspired. Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of the conversation! Like, share, and engage with this publication to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding food fraud and innovation in food safety. Together, let's safeguard our plates and ensure that every meal we enjoy is safe, authentic, and truly satisfying. 🌐🥕 #FoodFraud #FoodSafety #Innovation #Transparency #TrustworthyEating https://lnkd.in/dqsZ8bY9

Knowledge about food fraud???? Food fraud refers to the deliberate alteration, misrepresentation, or adulteration of food products for economic gain. This unethical practice can involve the substitution of ingredients, misleading labeling, falsification of origin, or the inclusion of harmful substances to reduce production costs. Some common examples include: 1. Mislabeling: Selling cheaper or inferior products under premium labels, such as labeling fish as a more expensive species. 2. Adulteration: Adding cheaper substances to food to bulk it up or alter its appearance, such as adding water to juice or starch to honey. 3. Counterfeit products: Creating fake versions of popular food items, often for high-demand luxury foods like olive oil or truffles. 4. Food origin fraud: Misrepresenting where a product comes from, such as claiming a food product is organic or from a specific region when it’s not. Food fraud undermines consumer trust, threatens public health, and leads to economic losses for both consumers and legitimate producers. Governments and industry bodies are increasingly working to detect and prevent food fraud through regulations, certifications, and advanced technologies like DNA testing and blockchain tracking. #Foodfraud #Haccp #Foodadditives #Foodcontamination #Foodsciences #Foodhygeine #Foodmicobiology #Foodchemistry #Taccp #Vaccp #Iso 9001

$40 Billion Stolen from Your Plate 🌍 Did you know that virgin olive oil, manuka honey, and even seafood are among the top targets for food fraud? This global menace costs us $40 billion annually, shaking consumer trust and putting public health at serious risk. It’s not just about money—it’s about what’s on your plate and whether you can trust it. 🍽️ But there’s hope. 💡 Advanced techniques like #spectroscopy are transforming food testing, helping to identify and prevent fraud. Meanwhile, at OneAgrix we're tackling the problem head-on. Our innovative and comprehensive platform—blockchain, DNA traceability, and cutting-edge tech ensures transparency and authenticity in every bite. From farm to fork, we’re creating a world where trust is the cornerstone of the food supply chain. Dive into this eye-opening article by Technology Networks to learn how innovation is fighting back against food fraud 👉 https://lnkd.in/dtYeP5dw Let’s take a stand. 💪 Together, we can build a safer, more reliable food system. 🍎🔗✨

⚡️⚡️#Food #Fraud⚡️⚡️ #Food #fraud refers to the intentional deception or misrepresentation of food products for economic gain. It encompasses a wide range of activities, such as adulterating or mislabeling food, substituting ingredients, and misrepresenting food origins. The motivations behind food fraud are usually economic, where less expensive or inferior ingredients are used to replace higher-quality ones to maximize profits. #Types #of #Food #Fraud 1. #Adulteration: The addition of non-authentic or lower-quality ingredients to food products. For example, adding cheaper oils or substances to expensive oils like olive oil or substituting cheaper meats for higher-quality cuts. 2. #Mislabeling: False information regarding the food product’s origin, contents, or quality. This could involve labeling food as organic when it is not, or misrepresenting the geographical origin of a product. 3. #Substitution: Substituting one food item for another, often of lower quality or value. For instance, substituting cheaper fish species (e.g., tilapia) for premium ones (e.g., tuna or salmon). 4. #Dilution: The practice of diluting products with cheaper substances to increase volume while maintaining a premium price. A common example includes diluting juices or milk with water or cheaper liquids. #Detection and #Prevention of Food Fraud 1. #Analytical #Methods: Advanced scientific techniques are employed to detect food fraud, such as DNA barcoding, isotopic analysis, and chromatographic techniques. 2. #Blockchain #and #Traceability: Blockchain technology and improved traceability systems can help ensure transparency in the food supply chain, making it easier to detect fraud at any stage of production or distribution. 3. #Regulations #and #Legislation: Governments and international organizations have put forth various regulations to combat food fraud, including the European Union's Food Fraud Network and the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

🔒 Safeguarding the Integrity of Our Food: Food Tampering & Food Fraud Awareness In a world where food safety is paramount, the risks of food tampering and food fraud remain pressing concerns. These malicious acts not only threaten public health but also undermine consumer trust and damage brand reputations. What is Food Tampering? Intentional interference with food products to cause harm, such as contaminating, altering, or mislabeling food items. What is Food Fraud? The intentional deception for economic gain, including mislabeling ingredients, substituting authentic items with inferior ones, or diluting products like honey, milk, or oils. Why Does It Matter? 1. Health Risks: Contaminated or fraudulent products can lead to severe illnesses or even fatalities. 2. Economic Impact: Food fraud costs the global food industry billions annually. 3. Consumer Confidence: Trust in the supply chain is essential for sustainable business growth. How Can We Prevent It? ✅ Implement robust traceability systems across the supply chain. ✅ Regularly conduct product testing and audits. ✅ Educate employees and consumers on recognizing signs of tampering or fraud. ✅ Leverage technology such as blockchain and AI to enhance transparency. 🔍 Together, we can make food safety a collective priority. Let’s ensure the food we eat is authentic, safe, and handled with integrity. #FoodSafety #FoodFraud #FoodTampering #SupplyChainTransparency #ConsumerTrust

Is the Pacific cod fillet you're buying truly Pacific cod? Is the honey you're purchasing truly pure? Food fraud is not only limited to these examples but is widespread across all foods and is impacting consumers, retailers, and producers worldwide. As supply chains become more complex and globalised, the potential for fraudulent activities increases, leading to the substitution of one product for another cheaper alternative or origin. In recent years, numerous instances of food fraud have been uncovered. In 2021, a report revealed that 20% of the fish sold in the EU was mislabeled, with lower-cost fish like pangasius being sold as more expensive varieties like sole or cod. In 2020, a large-scale honey fraud operation was exposed in Germany, where imported honey was found to be adulterated with sugar syrups. These cases underscore the ongoing and widespread nature of the problem. Moreover, consumers often face uncertainties about the origin of their meat, questioning whether the beef or lamb they're purchasing is truly Australian. Similarly, there are concerns about the authenticity of extra virgin olive oil, with consumers questioning whether the oil labeled as coming from Spain is genuinely of Spanish origin or a lower-quality substitute. With the current geopolitical situation, uncertainty in world economics, and increasing costs, suppliers may be tempted to improve margins via food fraud. While advanced detection methods and stringent regulations are essential, retailers and producers must also take proactive measures to combat food fraud. Implementing technologies such as blockchain, IoT sensors, and RFID tags to provide real-time data and further enhance the system’s effectiveness can ensure the integrity of the products they buy and sell. Blockchain provides a transparent and immutable record of each step in the supply chain, making it much harder for fraudulent activities to go unnoticed. For instance, a major U.S. retailer used blockchain technology to trace the source of romaine lettuce during an E. coli outbreak, quickly identifying the contaminated batches and preventing further distribution. By adopting such technologies, retailers and producers can enhance traceability, build consumer trust, and significantly reduce the incidence of food fraud.

Join me for the next episode of The Big Bite Food Safety Show! 🎙️ Let’s officially kickstart 2025 with fresh insights and practical tips on prioritizing food safety. 🍴💡 Tune in this Friday at 4:30 PM on Rebel Radio Jamaica1's YouTube! Don’t miss our discussion on the latest food safety trends, including advances in blockchain technology making supply chains more transparent and climate change introducing new risks for foodborne illnesses. Plus, we’ll tackle the evolving landscape of plant-based and lab-grown foods—are they really as safe as they seem? We'll also discuss the impact of Jamaica’s upcoming plastic container ban. 🛑💧 🎉 Let’s make 2025 the year of safe, healthy, and informed food choices! #FoodSafety #TheBigBite #SafeEats #FreshStart2025 #ConsumerAwareness #TheFoodSafetyGirl #FoodSafetyInJamaica

Honey is a high value foodstuff. Unfortunately that makes it a target for food fraud. The authenticity of some low-cost, blended honey is sometimes suspect. Honey can be adulterated in a number of ways and sophisticated techniques are used to avoid detection. Honey testing for authenticity is currently expensive and no one test is definitive. New and promising honey testing methods are on the horizon. Honey fraud impacts livelihoods and bee health. If the price is too good to be true then the product may not be genuine honey. The EU is currently changing labelling requirements to give % country of origin information to inform consumer choices and setting up a Honey Platform to gather the best available expertise on honey authenticity and traceability Buy from a trusted source.