Warning about counterfeit food: ‘Health hazard’
Stockholm – The EU agency Euipo raises alarm in a report about the large amounts of counterfeit food products circulating in the market, perhaps especially within e-commerce.
Cookies, candy, pasta, and chips are among the products that are often manipulated, while alcoholic beverages are also a significant problem. This can involve everything from fake labels and packaging to incorrect manufacturing processes.
In 2024, Europol and Interpol conducted a joint operation, seizing counterfeit products worth 91 million euros.
As early as 2021, Europol warned that there may be health hazardous substances, such as methanol and mercury, in counterfeit food products.
“Counterfeit food and drinks are a major problem for public health,” says Euipo’s Executive Director João Negrão in a statement.
(July 11)
