Law enforcement authorities across multiple EU Member States have successfully dismantled a criminal network that was involved in the illicit reintroduction of expired food products into the supply chain. This significant investigation, conducted in two parts and supported by Europol’s OPSON initiative targeting the food industry, has revealed a highly concerning practice. The reintroduction of expired food not only poses a direct threat to the health and safety of European consumers but also sheds light on the vulnerabilities within the supply chain, which have been further exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Exploited
Taking advantage of vulnerabilities in the supply chain caused by COVID-19, the criminals obtained a lot of expired food and drinks. They then removed the original expiry dates and replaced them with new ones using chemicals. Sometimes, they even made completely new labels to make the products look fresh and safe. However, these relabelled items can be not only unpleasant but also dangerous to consume, posing a serious health risk to the public.
Two major actions taken against food fraudsters
On May 23, 2023, a highly coordinated effort led by Lithuanian Police, Europol, and Eurojust resulted in the dismantling of an organized crime group engaged in reintroducing millions of expired food products with tampered labels into the market. This group, also suspected of involvement in a large-scale VAT fraud, is believed to have amassed profits of at least EUR 1 million through their deceptive food labeling scheme. During the operation, law enforcement conducted 70 searches and inspections, targeting warehouses and other locations where they seized equipment used to alter expiry dates. This equipment included household solvents, printers, and labels. The intensive efforts led to the prevention of over one million compromised food and beverage packages from reaching consumers.
Continuing their relentless pursuit, an action day on July 11, 2023, Conducting 14 searches, authorities successfully seized over 500,000 food and beverage items, along with equipment utilized by the fraudsters. Shockingly, many of the seized food items had not only expired but were already spoiled, underscoring the potential harm that could have been inflicted on unsuspecting consumers. The criminal network operated by collecting expired food and beverages at minimal or no cost, subsequently replacing the expiry dates to enable their illegal resale. By reintroducing these products into the supply chain, the perpetrators made substantial profits while endangering the well-being of countless individuals. This large-scale and cross-border phenomenon, spanning multiple EU Member States, involved intermediaries and entities associated with food disposal, with no direct involvement of food producers.
Source:27 food fraudsters arrested in Lithuania and Italy | Europol (europa.eu)