Food Fraud

What is Food Fraud?

Food fraud is defined by Europol and Interpol as ‘the deliberate placing on the market, for financial gain, foods which are falsely described or otherwise intended to deceive the consumer’.

This becomes a crime when it no longer involves a few random acts within the food industry but becomes an organised activity perpetrated by groups who knowingly set out to deceive and or injure those purchasing a food product. It is, however, important to note that the investigation process will be disruptive and businesses and individuals can be unduly targeted.

Food authenticity is about food offered for sale or sold is of the nature, substance and quality expected by the purchased. Authenticity can be a particular issue for faith groups or consumer with particular food preferences who do not want to purchase products with certain ingredients.

The Food Standards Agency is responsible for food safety and food hygiene across the UK, working against food adulteration and for food fraud prevention. They work with local authorities to enforce food safety regulations for food fraud protection and have staff who work in UK meat plants to check that the requirements of the regulations are being met. The FSA also commission research related to food safety.

Food fraud now falls under HM Governments Serious Organised Crime Strategy, published in October 2013 which echos four strands of counter-terrorism strategy: pursue, prevent, protect and prepare. Unfortunately, the £24bn estimate of serious organised crime does not include food crime. The new National Crime Agency are apparently ‘very interested in information regarding the involvement of organised crime in food fraud’.

If you think you are the subject of such an investigation or you have been requested to attend an interview you must make attempts to secure the right person and team to assist you in the process of building your defence.