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The Growing Threat of Food Fraud

Food fraud is not a new phenomenon, but recent developments have amplified its impact on the UK food industry.  

 This blog will explore recent incidents in the food industry that have spiked concern in food fraud and food safety, as well as outline the preventative measures businesses can be taking to protect their brand from food fraud. 

High-Risk Products

Based on HorizonScan’s data report of the last 12 months, the top 10 commodities at risk of food fraud are: 

  1. Processed Foods  
  2. Beverages  
  3. Seafood  
  4. Food and Dietary Supplements  
  5. Cereals – Processed 
  6. Novel Foods  
  7. Products of animal origin (dairy)
  8. Oilseeds  
  9. Foods for infants and young children   
  10. Tree nuts (shelled or unshelled) 
  

HorizonScan regularly monitors incident reports and alerts across the food and drink sector and highlights these risks.. By monitoring issues on HorizonScan, brands are able to stay on top of their supply chain risks, getting alerts ahead of news outlets to protect their brands from damage because being proactive is better than being reactive. 

Recent Incidents

At HorizonScan, we monitor and analyse global alerts from over 150 global sources, with an average of 40 new entries every day. To showcase a couple of recent incidents based on the data from HorizonScan above, the case study below demonstrate how food fraud is evolving—and why proactive surveillance is now essential to food integrity. 

 

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CASE STUDY: COUNTERFEIT GLEN'S VODKA:A LETHAL WAKE UP CALL

Prior to widespread media coverage, HorizonScan’s platform had already flagged
authenticity concerns relating to counterfeit spirits circulating in the UK. By aggregating
incident data and regulatory alerts from enforcement agencies,
HorizonScan provided early warning of fraudulent alcohol activity—highlighting the
risk well before the Glen’s vodka recall hit other newsletters and media outlets.

Why it happened:
Fraudsters replicated a well-known and trusted brand, using inexpensive and hazardous ingredients to increase profit margins. With packaging that closely resembled legitimate stock, the counterfeit product was able to bypass retail scrutiny and reach consumers undetected

Why it’s concerning
This incident highlights a fundamental truth: food fraud is not just an economic crime—it can be a public health threat. It shows how fraudulent goods can reach supply chain distribution channels undetected, putting lives at risk and exposing deficiencies in product verification, traceability, and enforcement. Crucially, it highlights the value of early-warning systems like HorizonScan in identifying threats before they escalate into public health emergencies.

READ THE ARTICLE >

 

Protecting Your Brand

Within HorizonScan, users can track emerging patterns across specific commodities, using real-time data to assess both frequency and severity of incidents. Users can also see new entries and highlights on the platform as they log in which clearly displays recent incidents and issues from data sources. 

Having early access to this intelligence enables technical and quality teams to act before incidents escalate—whether that means reviewing a supplier, initiating additional product testing, or updating internal risk assessments.  

To mitigate the risks associated with food fraud, the following strategies can be considered within businesses: 


Strengthen Supplier Relationships 

Conduct thorough due diligence on suppliers, including audits and verification of certifications, to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain. 

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Implement Robust Testing Protocols 

Regularly test high-risk products using advanced analytical methods to detect adulteration or contamination.  

In an era of dynamic challenges within the food industry, Fera stands as your strategic partner, dedicated to "safeguarding your supply chain." Our comprehensive range of services designed to protect your brand, minimise risks, and ensure the safety, quality, and authenticity of your food products. 

View our tests here > https://www.fera.co.uk/order-online 

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Leverage HorizonScan 

In the dynamic and complex food and drink industry, challenges like food fraud and integrity require proactive solutions. Utilising our HorizonScan capabilities, we monitor your supply chain to identify emerging issues, from increasing risks to supplier due diligence when making purchasing decisions for ingredients more susceptible to fraud.  

By monitoring over 100 trusted sources, the platform enables you to identify emerging threats early, assess risks by commodity or country, and make informed decisions about their supply chains.  

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Conclusion

Food fraud remains a growing and evolving challenge within global and domestic supply chains—posing risks not only to brand reputation and compliance, but to consumer safety.  

What these recent incidents make clear is that timely intelligence is essential. By identifying emerging risks before they escalate, businesses can take proactive steps to safeguard their products, customers, and reputation.  

HorizonScan can play a critical role in this effort—offering real-time access to global incident data, helping quality and technical teams detect trends early, and providing the insight needed to make informed, risk-based decisions.  

In a landscape where food integrity is constantly under threat, having visibility through HorizonScan isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. 

Interested in learning more about how HorizonScan can support your food safety efforts?  

Contact our team for a demonstration. 

 

 
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