alcoholic beverages food
TRANSCRIPT
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
FoodALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE: any fermented liquor, such as wine, beer, or distilled spirit that contains ethyl ethanol or alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are fermented from the sugars in fruits, berries, grains, or other ingredients as plant saps, tubers, honey or milk and can be distilled to reduce the original watery liquid to a liquid of much greater alcoholic strength. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsDue to their high market value, many brands
of wine and liquor are at risk of being counterfeit, mislabelled and adulterated:
dilution with water or cheap alcohol is a common fraud, as well as addition of
undeclared sugars or sweeteners and even substitution of the
beverage with a lower value one. False geographical origin
declaration is another common fraud, and high
quality wine brands are one of the
most affected categories.
AnalysesChromatography
Mass SpectrometrySpectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
WINE ADULTERATION AND DILUTION – ITALY 2008
Traces of fertilizers, exogenous sugars, water, acids and carcinogenic substances were found in over 70 million litres of low price wine sold in Italy.
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CEREALS / FLOURS
Food CEREAL: any grass (family Poaceae) yielding starchy seeds suitable for food. Cereals are usually marketed in their raw grain form or as ingredients for various food products (e.g. flours). As animal feed, they are consumed mainly by livestock and poultry, which are eventually rendered as meat, dairy and poultry products for human consumption. The cereals most commonly cultivated are wheat, rice, rye, oats, barley, corn (maize) and sorghum. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsThe most common frauds include addition
of exogenous compounds (e.g. melamine, used to apparently increase the products’
protein content), false organic farming declaration and partial or complete
substitution with different species: a typical case of counterfeiting
consists in the substitution of durum wheat (Triticum durum
– the most suitable cereal for the production of
pasta) with lower value soft wheat.
AnalysesBiomolecular analyses
Biomolecular analyses (rapid)Chromatography
Mass SpectrometrySpectroscopy
Spectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
WHEAT FALSE ORGANIC FARMING DECLARATION – ITALY / EUROPE 2011
Pesticide residues were found in wheat distributed through the whole continent under an organic farming
certification.
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COCOA / CHOCOLATE
FoodCOCOA is a highly concentrated powder made from chocolate liquor (a paste prepared from cocoa beans, the fruit of Theobroma cacao). Processed cocoa beans are also used to prepare a wide variety of chocolate compounds (e.g. solid chocolate bars, syrups, toppings, bakery products and beverages). (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsChocolate compounds are exposed to the
risk of being adulterated with exogenous materials, or mixed with fats of different species origin to improve the flavour; in
some cases, producers or distributors were even found adding artificial or
different origin material to cocoa powder in order to increase its
weight. False declarations of species or geographical
origin represent a significant risk, as
well.
AnalysesArtificial sensing system (rapid)
Biomolecular analyses Biomolecular analyses (rapid)
ChromatographyMass Spectrometry
SpectroscopySpectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
ADDITION OF NON-FOOD MATERIAL TO COCOA BEANS – GHANA 2015
Stones were added to sealed cocoa beans for export in order to increase the weight.
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COFFEE
FoodCOFFEE is a beverage brewed from the roasted and ground seeds of an evergreen coffee plant of African origin; it is among the most popular beverages in the world, and one of the most profitable global commodities. Two species of the coffee plant supply nearly all the world’s consumption: Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora, commonly known as Robusta; the latter is usually less expensive. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsLike cocoa powder, coffee powder and soluble coffee are likely to be mixed
with exogenous materials to increase the content’s weight, or adulterated by
undeclared sugars and sweeteners. Cases of mislabelling are also quite
common, especially false species origin declaration (Robusta
variety declared as Arabica). AnalysesBiomolecular analyses
ChromatographyMass Spectrometry
SpectroscopySpectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
ARABICA COFFEE BLENDING AND MISLABELLING – WORLDWIDE 2012
A significant number of international coffee distributors were found blending Arabica ground coffee with undeclared mixtures of different varieties (e.g. Robusta, hybrids).
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EGGS
FoodEGGS are the content of the hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird, considered as food. Eggs laid by domestic fowl (primarily chickens, ducks and geese but also other species as guinea fowl and quails) are mainly sold for human consumption (they are consumed fresh or used in the production of a wide variety of processed foods). (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsMany cases of food fraud concerning the
production of eggs involve the addition of exogenous – and sometimes harmful –
substances (e.g. artificial dyes, oils or fats), aimed to improve the product’s flavour,
appearance etc. False declarations of organic farming or geographical
origin are a common risk, too, as well as the fraudulent
substitution of fresh eggs with undeclared
incubated or frozen-thawed ones.
AnalysesArtificial sensing systems (rapid)
ChromatographyMass Spectrometry
SpectroscopySpectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
MILLIONS OF BATTERY EGGS SOLD AS FREE RANGE – UK 2006
Tens of millions of eggs falsely passed as free range. Mislabelled eggs sold as free range ended up on the shelves of supermarkets.
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FISH
FoodFISH is the term commonly used to describe all forms of edible fish, shellfish and crustaceans that inhabit an aquatic environment; wild or farmed fish from marine and freshwater bodies have been a major source of food for humankind since ancient times. Modern methods of processing and preservation have encouraged the consumption of many species that are still popular throughout the world. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsMislabelling (e.g. false species / geographical
origin declaration, farmed fish declared as wild) is among the most common frauds. Substituting high quality species with lower
value or even potentially toxic ones, is also a widespread practice, and so
is temperature abuse: in some cases, traders and distributors
have been found breaking the regulations concerning
storage temperatures, or declaring frozen-
thawed fish as fresh.
AnalysesBiomolecular analyses
Biomolecular analyses (rapid)Chromatography
Mass Spectrometry
CaseHistory
WHITE TUNA MISLABELLING – SPAIN 2013
A significant amount of white tuna samples from restaurants and grocery stores all around Spain were found to be mislabelled and substituted with Escolar, a potentially toxic species that closely resembles the fish usually distributed under the market name “white tuna”; the surrogate species was also of undeclared
geographical origin.
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FRUIT / DERIVATIVES
FoodFRUIT: from the consumer’s or food processor’s point of view, the definition includes the edible product of a plant or tree that consists of the seed and its envelope and can be described as juicy, sweet and pulpy, and usually rich in nutritive substances such as fibres and vitamins that make fruit a valuable part of the human diet, consumed raw or processed to obtain preparations as marmalades, jams or juices. (Source: Encyclopædia
Britannica)
FraudsMany cases of adulteration, mislabelling (e.g. false declaration of geographical
origin or organic farming) and dilution concern fruit based preparations and
especially juices; high price juices are the most prone to the risk of being
diluted or partially substituted by material of different
species origin. Undeclared exogenous sweeteners
might be added to fruit compounds in order
to enhance the flavour, too.
AnalysesBiomolecular analyses
ChromatographyMass spectrometry
Spectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
POMEGRANATE JUICE DILUTION, ADULTERATION AND MISLABELLING – USA 2008
US food safety authorities ascertained the dilution and adulteration of juice samples labelled as “100% pomegranate” by exogenous sweeteners and syrups.
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HONEY
FoodHONEY is a sugary, viscous liquid food, generally golden in colour, produced in the honey sacs of bees by the nectar of flowers. The differences between the organoleptic properties of each variety are due to the botanical species from which the nectar is gathered; such differences determine the varieties’ market value. Honey has been used since ancient ages as a sweetener substance to add to many kinds of food. (Source: Encyclopædia
Britannica)
FraudsHigh value honey varieties, such as the rare
Manuka honey produced in Australia and New Zealand, are exposed to the risk of being
adulterated by exogenous sweeteners to improve their flavour or substituted
with low quality material. Cases of mislabelling have also occurred
(false declaration of geographical, botanical
or animal origin). Analyses
Artificial sensing systems (rapid)
Chemometric analysesMass Spectrometry
SpectroscopySpectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
MANUKA HONEY ADULTERATION AND FALSE
BOTANICAL ORIGIN DECLARATION – WORLDWIDE 2013
A significant number of Manuka honey samples globally distributed were found to
contain exogenous syrups and honey of different botanical origin.
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MEAT
FoodMEAT: the definition includes the flesh or other edible parts of animals (usually domesticated cattle, swine, sheep or wild game) used for food, including not only muscles and fat, but also tendons and ligaments. Meat is valued as a complete protein food containing all the amino acids necessary for the human body. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsAmong meat based preparations, meatballs
and burger formulations are the most vulnerable to adulteration, mislabelling and partial or complete substitution with different,
lower value or potentially toxic species. False geographical origin and false
organic breeding declaration are common frauds, as well.
AnalysesBiomolecular analyses
Biomolecular analyses (rapid)Chemical sensors
ChromatographyMass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry (rapid)Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
MEAT BASED PRODUCTS ADULTERATION BY HORSE MEAT
– EUROPE 2013
Meat based ready meals distributed by retailers and restaurants (lasagne, beef and pork formulations) were found to contain undeclared, untraceable meats (horse meat)
and veterinary drugs.
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MILK / DAIRY PRODUCTS
FoodMILK is the liquid secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals to nourish their young. The milk of some domesticated animals (mostly cattle, sheep and goat) is an important food source for humans, either as a fresh fluid or processed into a wide variety of dairy products such as butter and cheeses. Milk is usually rich in proteins, fats, dissolved sugars, minerals and vitamins. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsMilk formulations such as milk powder are prone to be diluted or adulterated with
exogenous fats or oils; false geographical origin declaration is another common fraud.
In matter of European high value dairy products (e.g. Parmigiano Reggiano
cheese), risks include the violation of PDO protocol requirements.
AnalysesBiomolecular analyses
ChromatographyMass spectrometry
SpectroscopySpectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
MILK POWDER ADULTERATION – CHINA 2013
Milk powder samples were found to contain melamine, added to increase the apparent protein content. The fraud had a dramatic impact on public health.
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MUSHROOMS
FoodMUSHROOMS are the umbrella-shaped fruiting bodies (sporophores) of certain fungi. The term is popularly used to identify sporophores suitable for human consumption; many species of edible mushrooms are consumed and regarded as a delicacy in several areas of the world. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsAmong the most common frauds
concerning mushrooms and mushroom-based preparations, there are: addition of
exogenous material in order to enhance the product’s appearance, adulteration and
substitution with lower quality varieties or species and, naturally, mislabelling
frauds such as false species origin or organic farming
declaration. AnalysesArtificial sensing systems
(rapid)Chromatography
Spectroscopy
CaseHistory
MUSHROOM PRODUCTS FALSE GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN AND ORGANIC FARMING DECLARATION – USA 2007
Mushroom-based products labelled as “organic” were found to be diluted and, in some cases, partially substituted with conventionally farmed mushrooms; the geographical origin of the surrogate material was also different from the one declared
on labels.
Find out more: download the FoodIntegrity App.
OILS
FoodOILS: in matter of food, they are identified as greasy, liquids insoluble in water, obtained from animal and plant substances. Many types of liquid oils come from plant seeds and fruits (e.g. olives, soybeans, sunflower seeds) and serve a wide range of culinary purposes as dressings, frying substances and ingredients for different preparations. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsHigh value oils such as EVO oil are often subject to addition of different oil
varieties or even complete substitution. In some cases, artificial compounds are
also employed to adulterate oils; such products can also happen to be
mislabelled in many ways (false declaration of geographical
origin, species origin or organic farming). Analyses
ChromatographyMass spectrometry
Spectroscopy
CaseHistory
EVO OIL ADULTERATION – ITALY 2012
Olive oil samples were found containing b-carotene, chlorophyll and seed oil. The final product was meant to be distributed in restaurants and by door-to-door delivery companies as high
value extra virgin olive oil in the regions of Tuscany, Emilia Romagna and Lazio. 5000 litres of adulterated oil were seized by the local authorities.
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SPICES
FoodSPICES: parts of various plants cultivated for the aromatic, pungent or otherwise desirable flavour of the substances they contain. They can be obtained from different parts of the plant (rhizomes, bulbs, buds, seeds, leaves…) and are commonly used dried, although some herbs – such as basil or rosemary – are often employed fresh. The main purpose of spices is to enhance flavours of other foods. (Source: Encyclopædia
Britannica)
FraudsAdulteration by undeclared artificial dyes or flavourings is one of the most common
frauds in matter of dried and powdered spices; false geographical or species origin
declaration and substitution with other plants are widespread fraudulent
habits, as well.
AnalysesArtificial sensing systems
(rapid)Biomolecular analyses
ChromatographyMass spectrometry
Mass spectrometry (rapid)Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
VANILLIN ADULTERATION – ITALY 2010
Samples of imported vanillin were found to contain traces of unpermitted artificial additives (toluen).
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TOMATO / DERIVATIVES
FoodTOMATO (Solanum lycopersicum) is a flowering plant belonging to the solanaceae family, extensively cultivated for its edible fruits, which are commonly eaten raw in salads or used in several sorts of preparations (paste, juice, sauce) popular in many areas of the world. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsTomato juice and other similar compounds
are particularly vulnerable to adulteration or substitution with overripe or GMO material. Mislabelling frauds such as false
declaration of organic farming or species origin are common, too.
AnalysesArtificial sensory systems
(rapid)Biomolecular analyses
ChromatographyMass spectrometry
Mass spectrometry (rapid)Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
PEELED TOMATOES FALSE GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN / ORGANIC FARMING DECLARATION AND PDO MISLABELLING
– ITALY 2013
Peeled tomatoes for export were declared as organic, Italian and PDO; they were actually untraceable, imported from China and stored in conditions favouring risks of contamination.
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VINEGAR
FoodVINEGAR is a sour liquid obtained from the fermentation of numerous dilute alcoholic liquids into a liquid containing acetic acid. Vinegar can be produced from a variety of materials: apples, grapes or cereals such as barley or rice. Vinegar’s principal uses are the flavouring and the preservation – or pickling – of foods. (Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
FraudsHigh quality brands of vinegar (Balsamic
vinegar of Modena, for instance) are subject to the risk of dilution with water, complete or
partial substitution with lower value material or false geographical and / or species
origin declaration.
AnalysesChemical sensors
ChromatographyMass spectrometry
SpectroscopySpectroscopy (rapid)
CaseHistory
BALSAMIC VINEGAR ADULTERATION AND ADDITION
– GERMANY / SWITZERLAND 2011
Samples of balsamic vinegar were found to be diluted with different types of vinegar; they also contained exogenous acetic acid.
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