SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal services for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

July 2, 2020

FOOD FRAUD

Food fraud is not new. But according to the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, https://view.usp.org, the amount of fake ingredients has increased by 60 percent in the last year.

Counterfeit foods range from lemon juice purporting to be “100% pure” to cheap oils, which are dyed and flavored for the purpose of being passed off as pricey extra virgin olive oil.

You will find these in your grocery store. It can include deceptive labeling, the lack of food purity, and more. For example, cheaper oils, such as hazelnut, palm and corn oil may be treated so that they can pass for olive oil. This can prove a grave threat to those who are allergic to these products.

So, what can consumers do?

Unfortunately, there are no foolproof steps to protect yourself from all food fraud. Less pricey categories of fish, for example, are often mislabeled as more expensive species. Even trained chefs, who handle the food every day, can be fooled and only DNA tests can reveal the substitution taking place. While there is nothing a consumer can do to ensure they never consume a fraudulent food, there are steps they can take to mitigate the risk.

Here are tips for cautious consumers:

If a price seems too good to be true, you could suspect something is wrong. There is a reason that particular brand costs less than all the others, and there’s a chance that reason is adulteration.

There is safety in brands that have a vested interest in keeping you as a consumer. They may have more of an incentive to stay honest.

When possible, buy raw ingredients rather than processed ones. For example, buy your own coffee beans to grind rather than buying ground coffee.

If you believe there is a food fraud you could speak your member of Congress. Also speak to Federal agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov and Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov.  These agencies work on fraud issues and know that food fraud is an important issue.

Attribution: fraud.org