2 days ago
€90m in counterfeit food, drink seized in EU last year
Over €90 million in counterfeit food and drink products were seized across the European Union last year, according to the EU's Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
Counterfeit products are often associated with luxury goods but food products are the second most seized category of products at the EU's external borders.
Over 3,600 EU food and drink products are protected by geographical indications (GIs), which protect the names of products that originate from specific regions and possess qualities or characteristics due to that geographical environment.
For example, Irish whiskey is a protected product name, meaning whiskey produced outside Ireland cannot legally be labelled as Irish whiskey.
Other protected Irish brands include Achill Island Sea Salt, Sneem Black Pudding, Irish Grass Fed Beef, and the Waterford Blaa.
EUIPO said that wines and spirits face one of the highest counterfeiting rates compared to other products, with annual losses in sales of €2.28 billion and nearly 5,700 jobs in the EU across all categories.
For Irish products, €40 million in sales are lost each year in this sector.
Last year's €90 million worth of seizures of counterfeit food and drink products were coordinated by Europol and Interpol, and amounted to 22,000 tonnes of food and around 850,000 litres of (mostly alcoholic) drinks.
EUIPO said the operation resulted in 11 criminal networks being dismantled and 278 people reported to judicial authorities in connection with the counterfeits.
According to the report, France, Italy and Germany lead in both production and consumption of geographically protected products, with France alone accounting for nearly 32% of EU GI product sales.
Wine constitutes 54% of the total EU GI consumption, which makes it particularly vulnerable to counterfeiting.
Other products heavily impacted by counterfeiting include olive oil, beer, meat, cheese, and dairy products.
The EU agency said that when counterfeiting of drinks, particularly alcoholic drinks, organised crime groups employ sophisticated methods to deceive consumers.
Counterfeiters frequently reuse original bottles or print fake labels to place on empty bottles, making it harder for consumers and authorities to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent products.
Apart from the economic loss, in its report, the EU Intellectual Property Office points to health concerns over counterfeit food and drink products, with some of the seized items containing dangerous substances, including methanol, mercury, fipronil, and toxic pesticides.
China and Turkey are listed as being among the most frequently reported countries of origin for counterfeit food and drinks in the EU.
Along with the report entitled 'What's on your table?', the EUIPO is highlighting ways for consumers to avoid fake products, including buying from official retailers and verifying product labelling.
EUIPO Executive Director João Negrão said that counterfeit food and drink products are a "major public health concern".
"Our campaign aims to equip consumers with the knowledge to protect themselves while supporting legitimate businesses that uphold EU quality standards. This is a battle we must fight together: authorities, producers and consumers alike," he added.
