A recent report has called for stronger policing of the food industry and tougher penalties for food fraud. The recommendations in the report echo a growing movement in the food industry to clamp down on this issue in the wake of recent scandals.
What does the report propose?
The draft report, prepared by MEP Esther de Lange, identified olive, fish, organic foods, milk and grains as the top five products most at risk of food fraud. However, this issue affects all food products and related businesses across the industry.
The report outlines the following key proposals to tackle food fraud:
A definition of what constitutes food fraud
An enhancement of the Food and Veterinary Office's role, a body which currently works to ensure effective control systems and evaluate compliance through inspections in member states and third countries exporting to the EU
Private initiatives to set up anti-fraud programmes
A legal obligation for food business operators to report fraudulent behaviour to competent authorities
Attitudes of enforcement bodies to move towards a stronger policing approach
Sanctions to be at least double the economic advantage of the fraud
Registrations of food business operators to be withdrawn for repeat offenders
Why is this important?
The much-reported horse meat scandal has attracted attention to food fraud in meat products, however there are further, equally important, examples across other food products and which could have equally devastating effects.
The report underlines that several factors contribute to food fraud but the risk is greatest when potential economic gains are large and chances of getting caught are slim. Added to this, the complexity and cross-border character of the food chain are often cited as contributing to a low risk of food fraud actually being detected.
Food fraud not only affects consumers but also those businesses which strive to comply with their regulatory obligations. As the noose tightens around those which are failing, it remains more important than ever to ensure your business can account for the quality and standard of food sold.
What next?
The report has now been backed by the Environment and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament. We await approval from the full Parliament later this year, before reporting further.
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