Food fraud data collection needs survey

Abstract

This research project was conducted to understand the data collection needs when addressing food fraud prevention. The foundation for an understanding of the fraud opportunity utilizes a holistic and all-encompassing information sharing system. The anonymous online survey was distributed first to a targeted group of food fraud leaders from manufacturer or brand owner companies and then to a public group. From the 96 survey responses, first, regarding “data” there is generally “enough” and “good enough” data to meet the current assessments and compliance needs. Second, regarding the process, there is a need for more guidance or harmonization on vulnerability assessments, strategy development and management, and correlation to all other enterprise-wide risks (ERM/COSO). Third, there is the general activity of conducting food fraud vulnerability assessments, but there is a lack of clarity or direction on the scope (all types of fraud) and confidence in the conclusions (a clear insight or diagnosis of root-cause). This survey suggests there is a need for more definition and formality of the method and process for addressing food fraud. Finally, a focus on harmonizing terms, vulnerability assessment methods, and then of common policy/strategy will enable the risk assessors to define their future data collection requirements and needs. Further research should explore the specifics of the data collection needs and expand to other stakeholders such as regulators and enforcement.

Identifying food fraud vulnerability factors in food fraud incidents – a review of global incidents 2000–2018

“…This study is the first to identify food fraud vulnerability factors based on initial reviewing of real food fraud cases recorded in a global database (Decernis). Employing the barrier analysis technique combined with the routine activity theory principles, this study responded to the call to support food fraud public policy development steps of implementing evidence-based FFVA (Spink et al. , 2019a, b).…”

“…The requirements of the mandated GFSI compliance policy for a comprehensive FFVA requires a standardised approach that should include an initial screening of food fraud incidents recorded in a global database (Spink et al. , 2016, 2019a; Van Ruth et al. , 2018).…”

“…The horsemeat scandal incident resulted in economic gain to the fraudsters (Moyer et al, 2017) and long-term reputational damage to the UK beef industry. In response to this scandal, and other similar incidents from 2018, it has been mandated that food producers and food organisations (around the world) incorporate a separate documented food fraud vulnerability assessment (FFVA) and food fraud prevention plan (FFPP) as part of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) compliance policy (Curll, 2015;GFSI, 2018;Spink et al, 2016;Spink et al, 2019a). The FFVA focuses on identifying vulnerability factors instead of identifying potential hazards or threats as per the requirement of food safety (HACCP) and food defence (TACCP) auditing schemes (Silvis et al, 2017;Van Ruth et al, 2018;Manning and Soon, 2016).…”

Food fraud amid COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa: A challenge of the present

“…As pointed out, the dearth of statistical evidence shows the difficulty involved in obtaining evidence of food fraud incidence or pinpoint food fraud trends in the SSA region. Moreover, there is an acknowledged need to carefully interpret the available evidence on reported cases [ 3 ]. Fortunately, in recent years, due to publicity on social media and web-based media platforms, more cases of food fraud are coming to light.…”

Physicochemical analysis and adulteration detection in Malaysia stingless bee honey using a handheld near‐infrared spectrometer

“…Food fraud is the act of intentionally changing, misrepresenting, mislabeling, removing, or altering with any food product throughout the farm-to-table food supply chain (Spink, Bedard, et al, 2019). A series of incidents in purposeful food adulteration have urged its assessment, choosing countermeasures and control systems by the public and government or local authorities (Spink, Elliott, et al, 2019). The food producers and food handlers take greater responsibility and roles in ensuring food safety and preventing food fraud.…”