Prevalence of Milk Fraud in the Chinese Market and its Relationship with Fraud Vulnerabilities in the Chain

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processed milk samples suspected of being adulterated on the Chinese market and, subsequently, relate their geographical origin to the earlier determined fraud vulnerability. A total of 52 UHT milk samples purchased from the Chinese market were measured to detect possible anomalies. The milk compositional features were determined by standardized Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and the detection limits for common milk adulterations were investigated. The results showed that twelve of the analysed milk samples (23%) were suspected of having quality or fraud-related issues, while one sample of these was highly suspected of being adulterated (diluted with water). Proportionally, more suspected samples were determined among milks produced in the Central-Northern and Eastern areas of China than in those from the North-Western and North-Eastern areas, while those from the South were in between. Combining the earlier collected results on fraud vulnerability in the Chinese milk chains, it appears that increased fraud prevalence relates to poorer business relationships and lack of adequate managerial controls. Since very few opportunities and motivations differ consistently across high and low-prevalence areas, primarily the improvement of control measures can help to mitigate food fraud in the Chinese milk supply chains.

Which Company Characteristics Make a Food Business at Risk for Food Fraud?

“…Overall, this means that the vulnerability to food fraud is often perceived as relatively low when it comes to motivations and somewhat higher in regard to opportunities, with lack of adequate controls being considered to contribute to a larger extent to fraud vulnerability. These results are in agreement with small scale assessments which compared fraud vulnerability across the fish, meat, milk, olive oil, organic banana, and spice industries in Europe [ 15 ]. These overall profiles provide a first, general impression of the large dataset.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, there is only one study. This study deals with fraud vulnerability and prevalence in Chinese milk supply chains [ 15 ]. More extensive studies to correlate vulnerabilities and prevalence would certainly enhance fine-tuning of these types of assessments and their predictive and preventative capabilities.…”

“…Certain food types, geographical sources, associated supply chains [ 13 ] and business characteristics [ 14 , 15 , 16 ] are seen as having historically higher levels of concern with regard to food fraud. In the current study, we try to comprehend these vulnerabilities by exploring particular characteristics of businesses, such as the industry segment they are active in, their business size, and their location, that may influence their levels of vulnerability to fraud across over 8000 businesses active in global food supply chains.…”

Evaporation-Based Low-Cost Method for the Detection of Adulterant in Milk

“…8,9 In 2020, it was reported that 2% of the milk samples were adulterated in China. 10 The adulterants can be classified into two types, namely (a) economically motivated adulterants, and (b) economically motivated and harmful adulterants. 11 Water, vegetable protein, whey, and milk from different species (cow, buffalo, goat, sheep, camel, etc.)…”

“…For example, in 2018, 7% of the milk samples failed to match the standard milk quality decided by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India . In 2020, ∼80% of open or packed milk sampled in some areas of Pakistan were reported to be adulterated with adulterants such as water, urea, soap, and formalin. , In 2020, it was reported that 2% of the milk samples were adulterated in China . The adulterants can be classified into two types, namely (a) economically motivated adulterants, and (b) economically motivated and harmful adulterants .…”