Food fraud continues to cost the global economy an estimated £81bn a year, even as testing technologies become more sophisticated. Experts say the persistence of the problem reflects regulatory gaps, economic incentives and the practical limits of high-tech monitoring systems.
Commonly consumed and high-value foods remain primary targets. Products such as olive oil, dairy, seafood and honey are frequently adulterated or mislabelled. Honey, in particular, is vulnerable because plant-based syrups can be significantly cheaper than genuine bee-produced honey. Detecting sophisticated counterfeits is difficult, as fake honey can closely mimic the chemical profile of authentic products. Researchers use isotope analysis and chemical bond testing to identify irregularities, yet no single method can definitively confirm authenticity.
Food fraud also poses health risks. Past scandals, including melamine contamination in infant formula, illustrate how adulteration can cause severe harm. More recent concerns include industrial dyes added to spices and lead contamination in cinnamon, which led to child poisonings in the United States in 2023. While laboratory methods can detect such substances at low levels, experts highlight inconsistent surveillance and limited regulatory resources as key weaknesses.
Emerging technologies aim to improve traceability and detection. Innovations include DNA profiling, laser-based light analysis, thermal imaging and portable testing devices such as handheld DNA kits and X-ray fluorescence scanners. Machine learning is increasingly used to analyse large datasets and flag potential anomalies in supply chains. However, these tools can be costly, slow to deploy in the field and difficult to integrate across complex global supply networks.
Blockchain and QR-code systems have also been promoted as solutions, but specialists note they are vulnerable to counterfeiting and impractical for products with numerous ingredients sourced internationally. Ultimately, experts argue that technology alone cannot eliminate fraud. Effective oversight, strong public health systems and informed purchasing decisions remain central to reducing risks in an increasingly complex global food market.
