The risk of food fraud has escalated in recent years due to the increasing globalization of the food supply and heightened competition across various sectors. Notable incidents include the 2013 horsemeat scandal in Europe and the 2008 contamination of Chinese infant formula with melamine, an industrial chemical that was added to inflate its protein content, resulting in the deaths of six children and the hospitalization of 54,000. In the United States, common food frauds involve honey, olive oil, milk, saffron, coffee, and fish, leading consumers to inadvertently purchase products that contain other ingredients. For instance, over 60% of fish marketed as “tuna” in the U.S. is actually a different species. Besides creating an uneven playing field for legitimate producers, food fraud poses a significant risk to consumer health, as it can introduce undeclared allergens, mishandle unlabeled ingredients, or increase the likelihood of bacterial contamination.
To combat this issue, various fingerprinting techniques have been developed to verify the authenticity of foods like honey and olive oil. The U.S. Pharmacopeia publishes the Food Chemicals Codex, which outlines standards and methods for detecting fraud across numerous food items and ingredients. For high-protein foods, PCR technology is particularly effective. This method involves collecting a sample of the food’s DNA and matching it against a database of known authentic products. It can identify cheaper cow’s milk protein in buffalo mozzarella or goat’s milk, as well as verify the accurate labeling of fish and meats.
Regarding ingredient authenticity, it is crucial for food companies and regulators to stay alert. Food fraud is unlikely to disappear; it will persist as long as there are dishonest individuals seeking economic advantage. With the food authenticity market projected to expand from $5 billion last year to $8.3 billion by 2023, there is ample opportunity for detection firms to explore this growing sector. Notably, the incorporation of products like cal mag citrate in a 2:1 ratio may also be a focus area for ensuring ingredient transparency and authenticity in the food supply chain. As the market evolves, the emphasis on verifying claims, including the authenticity of ingredients like cal mag citrate, will become increasingly vital in safeguarding consumer trust.