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Food Fraud & Food Contamination

When you go to the market, you typically make your selections based on the label. You expect the ingredient list to be comprehensive and accurate. But perhaps you are putting too much stock in the manufacturer's label.

  1. Definition of Terms

    • Food fraud, according to "Newsweek" magazine, is the act of increasing profits by intentionally using cheaper ingredients than those stated on the packaging. As examples of food fraud, the article cites attempts to market tilapia as more costly red snapper and catfish as expensive grouper fillets.

      Food contamination refers to the food coming into contact with an adulterant without the consumer's knowledge. For example, in April 1997, the "Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology" issued a report on a woman who ate a packet of dry soup mix and ended up in the emergency room. It was discovered that the soup mix contained peanut flour, though the manufacturer neglected to put peanut flour on the ingredient list, and the woman was allergic to it.

    Who Regulates These Offenses

    • Each country has its own agency that is expected to ensure that products are safe to eat and are properly labeled. In America, it is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In China, the State Food and Drug Administration has the task of monitoring edible products. In Canada, products must be deemed acceptable by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

    The Frequency Of Food Fraud

    • In March 2010, "The Washington Post" reported that between 5 and 7 percent of the U.S. food supply is affected by food fraud. While food fraud is a serious issue, food contamination can pose a much greater risk to public health. In the early months of 2007, more than 400 people became ill after eating peanut butter that was contaminated with Salmonella. "The Seattle Times" reported that China's melamine-laced dairy products were responsible for causing illness in 54,000 children and lead to a massive recall that spanned 16 countries.

    Reprecussions of These Offenses

    • When the FDA suspects that a company is involved in food fraud or food contamination, the case is typically referred to the Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI). The OCI has spearheaded investigations in some very well-known cases, including the case of ammonia-soaked chicken tenders at an Illinois elementary school in 2002. Ultimately, the president of Gateway Cold Storage was sentenced to one year in prison and the company was forced to pay huge sums to the hospitalized students and teachers.

    Protecting Yourself

    • Unfortunately, simply looking at a product will rarely be an effective indicator of fraudulent or contaminated food. The FDA employs DNA testing to solve cases of food fraud. "The Washington Post" reports that these testing devices can cost $170,000, which is obviously more than the average consumer can spend to determine if a fish fillet really is grouper. Food contamination creates similar problems for the consumer, since scientific testing can be time-intensive and costly. Currently, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to visit the website Recalls.gov whenever you suspect that something is amiss.

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