Food fraud poses a threat to the population. Since the process encompasses, for example, the distribution of counterfeit or poor quality products that can be bad for us. Now, the Civil Guard has arrested 120 people in an operation that has been open since December 1, 2020. Do you want to know what happened and what the fraud consists of? Continue reading.
Food fraud in alcoholic beverages and wine, honey, meat or seeds
The Civil Guard has been investigating the food fraud that 120 people were doing in our country. This case is part of an international operation that has been coordinated by Europol. Likewise, the entire operation, called OPSON, has involved police authorities from 72 countries, 26 of which were EU member states.
Specifically, members of the EU Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (SANTE), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), national food regulatory authorities and private sector partners.
In it, more than 600 tons of plants have been seized, as well as 116.000 liters of spirits. Likewise, nearly 2.300 controls and inspections have been carried out in distribution centers, shopping centers, means of transport and fiscal warehouses. And more than 1.612 administrative and criminal offenses have been detected.
What is food fraud?
Food fraud is defined as counterfeiting and illegal distribution of food products that can affect the consumer's health. This is also financial fraud. Typically scammers use the same modus operandi. For instance, the falsification of documents for the importation of adulterated alcohols.
In the horsemeat They use the tactic of falsifying the documentation of the horses that qualifies them for human consumption. They also use forgery of stamped effects or seals on the containers themselves. Or in the case of saffron, the original product is adulterated, with coloring substances that are not allowed to increase the economic benefit.
Most Commonly Adulterated Foods
There are many types of food adulteration. The most common adulterations concern species and quality. Also to geographic origin. And finally, at organic product declarations for non-organic vegetables (pesticides).
According to the European Parliament, that products more adulterated are oil olive, fish, milk and dairy products. As well as cereals, honey, coffee, tea, spices, wine and fruit juices.
Other cases of food fraud
One of the most important actions of the Civil Guard has been in Pontevedra. There, together with the National Republican Guard of Portugal, they have dismantled an international network dedicated to the trade of bivalves unfit for human consumption.
This operation culminated in the arrest of eight people. In addition to seven commercial companies investigated and the seizure of about 120.000 euros, 25 high-end vehicles and 12 boats.
Similarly, the Seprona team of the Barcelona Command recently acted against another criminal organization. This was dedicated to commercialization of equine meat not suitable for human consumption.
To introduce the meat of the animals they used supposedly falsified equine identification documentation. Finally, a total of 33 people were arrested. They are accused with crimes against public health, professional intrusion, crime of document falsification and another of belonging to an organization.
Finally, in The Rioja, In a joint action by the Civil Guard and the Tax Agency, another criminal organization was investigated. It was mainly engaged in counterfeiting stamped effects imported from China.
In addition, actions were held in La Rioja, Jaén and Ciudad Real. Intervening about 300.000 bottles and 171.200 counterfeit tax seals. 47.660 liters of whiskey and 9.550 liters of alcohol were also involved in the production of the product. This operation culminated in a total of 14 people arrested or investigated.
The EU and the health authorities propose a change in food safety regulations. They ask for the legal food order to be simplified. In this way, the community regulations applied in the food chain would be strengthened to prevent fraud. And you, did you know of any of these cases of food fraud? What solutions would you provide?
