Food fraud and COVID-19 pandemic: findings from operation OPSON IX

Operation OPSON IX demonstrates that during the pandemic's disruption opportunistic crime is ready to exploit the weaknesses of regional and global supply chains.    

Alcohol was a heavily targeted product for smuggling, adulteration, and counterfeiting during OPSON IX, and it remains one of the biggest global risks to consumer health. Regarding dairy products, more than 246 tons of unlawful products, predominantly cheese, were seized in Italy for food safety and food fraud reasons, while more than 11.8 tons of rotting milk and cheese were seized in Jordan, and 7.6 tons of dairy goods were confiscated in Bulgaria, with some samples testing positive for E. coli. Among the irregularities identified are the use of UHT milk containing foreign substances, false labelling, cheese made from pasteurized milk after the producer discovered bacterial contamination, production of residual waters unlawfully released, contamination by rodent excess or damaged packaging for example in plants with significant structural hygiene problems. Another category that remains a high risk for public health is the meat and meat products. Countries that reported highest seizures are North Macedonia with 21 tons of frozen chicken, Hungary with 15.2 tons of meat goods, Portugal with 16.7 tons, and Italy with 9.4 tons. Some of the illegal activities found are related to species substitution, false halal certification and labelling, products came from avian influenza areas, illegal slaughtering of horses and pigs, hazardous hygiene conditions, no traceability or labels, amongst others.    

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) crime involving food items was very much prevalent during OPSON IX, affecting alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, condiments, additives/food supplements, besides meat and dairy products. Europol advices that in the light of the current global health crisis, governments must reconsider their approach to food supply chain security by considering new tactics, tighter controls, safer methods, and preventative measures, as well as greater safety for law enforcement personnel.    


Source:  

https://www.europol.europa.eu/publications-documents/operation-opson-ix-–-analysis-report