Barcodes: the technology to combat global Food Fraud

The authenticity, quality and provenance of the food that we consume has never been more uncertain. Globalization of product supply chains coupled with the meteoric rise of e-retailing has led to reduced supply chain visibility and fostered a trading environment where food counterfeiting, misrepresentation and adulteration are commonplace. From fish to beef, honey to oils, coffee to spices, the range of foods faked across the world is broad and ever-widening.

The economic impact of food fraud Food fraud describes the deliberate misrepresentation of foodstuffs with a view to make economic gain. Valued at a staggering $49 billion a year and growing, the counterfeit food and beverage market presents a significant risk to consumer safety. Counterfeits enter the market by many different means. One ploy is to present cheap versions of products as higher quality brands. A second is to introduce cheaper ingredients into authentic products in order to increase profit margins. In both cases the risk to consumer safety is significant.

Fake and dangerous foods pose a significant threat to consumer health and safety. At best, food fraud involves the substitution of a food type with another that is not harmful to humans. At worst, it can involve the inclusion of ingredients that cause allergic reactions, birth defects, hospitalization and in many cases, death

The scale of the problem is reflected in the 2016 Operation OPSON findings, a joint Europol/Interpol operation that targets the identification of counterfeit and substandard food and drink. The initiative is run on an annual basis and the latest operation, OPSON VI, involved 50,000 checks across 57 countries at shops, markets and various points within the supply chain.