Global perspectives on food fraud: results from a WHO survey of members of the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN)

This survey of International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) members regarding food fraud prevention, management, education, and information sharing included 166 WHO member states that resulted in 175 responses. The respondents engage in food fraud prevention (70%) or are responsible for food fraud incident response (74%). Nearly all respondents acknowledged a desire for more guidance and information on best practices in managing the full range of food safety events involving food fraud (97%), but also for prevention of such events (97%), indicating a need to provide technical support beyond acute incident response. The scope of food fraud covered in the survey comprised the full range of fraudulent activities, including the addition of adulterant-substances, tampering (including mislabeling), theft, smuggling, gray market/diversion, and counterfeiting (intellectual property rights). Key needs included: capacity-building/education; a platform for information sharing; and utilization of INFOSAN as an interagency/intergovernmental collaboration point. WHO survey: Understand the perspectives of INFOSAN members on food fraudFood fraud risk is an intentional act driven by economical profits and not intended to pose a public health threat like food terrorism. Spink from Michigan State University and coworkers reported the results of a WHO food fraud survey of members of the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN). Most of these INFOSAN members are involved in food fraud prevention or food fraud incident response in their agencies/organizations. The respondents consider the food fraud activities or prevention programs to include adulterant-substances, tampering, counterfeits, theft, smuggling, and gray market/diversion. This study revealed their concerns about food safety events involving food fraud and the needs of educating, managing, and preventing fraud related food safety events. These understandings are important for the further considerations of next steps.