Large-scale fraud involving, among other things, organic food

Interpol recently withdrew a large amount of food from the market due to fraudulent practices. The value of the food is approximately €100 million. Fraud with organic food has also been taken into account for the first time.

Research into organic food has been conducted by 16 European Member States, which do not include the Netherlands. Ultimately, about 90.000 tons of organic food was examined. That investigation showed that 470 tons are conventionally grown. Forged documents were used to hide this and in the end 9 people were arrested.

The investigation mainly focused on a Spanish company that sold large quantities of conventionally grown peppers and cucumbers as organic food. The customers mainly came from Germany, Great Britain, France and Denmark.

Expiration date fraud
In addition, it was also discovered that fraud had been committed with, among other things, the best-before date of chicken meat and cheese. Unsanitary storage areas have also been found. Also has Interpol fraudulent practices involving coffee labeled '100% Arabica' and fraud involving 150.000 liters of sunflower oil discovered.

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.