Seafood was the top category reported for fraud suspicion during 2018, according to the latest report from the EU Food Fraud Network.
This includes illegal treatment, mislabeling, and other issues, according to DG Sante Deputy Head of Unit Alerts, Traceability and Committees, Eric Marin.
In the tuna sector, rampant fraudulent activity was first unveiled by whistleblowers in 2016 across Europe.
“Frankly, it took us a while to look into this and figure it out,” said Marin.
Additives that are authorized at limited quantities as antioxidants are used at higher levels than allowed in order to avoid the use of preservatives restricted by regulations, and mask the real freshness of the product while prolonging its shelf life.
