Europol: food crime is a new phenomenon

By: Trademagazin Date: 2023. 07. 14. 09:16

With the cooperation of the law enforcement authorities of several countries, 27 food fraudsters were detained in Lithuania and Italy, the criminals provided millions of expired food products with new labels and returned them to the supply chain – the European Union’s police cooperation organization based in The Hague, Europol, informed on Friday.

According to the press release issued by the organization, the suspects took advantage of the disruptions in the supply chain caused by the coronavirus epidemic to obtain a huge amount of expired food and beverages. They removed the expiration date printed on each product and affixed new labels, giving the appearance that the packaged food or drink is still fresh and safe to eat. Relabelled goods are not only unpleasant, but can even be dangerous for human consumption and pose a serious public health risk, Europol pointed out.

Criminals arrested in Lithuania, who are also being investigated for large-scale VAT fraud, are believed to have made at least one million euros in profits from food labeling fraud. Authorities searched around 70 warehouses and seized equipment used to change the expiry dates of products. The seized devices included household solvents, printers and labels.