Food fraud in insecure times: challenges and opportunities for reducing food fraud in Africa

Abstract

BackgroundFood fraud describes deceptive acts that occur at all stages of the food supply chain for economic gain. The COVID-19 pandemic has had devasting impacts on individuals, institutions, and economies. Disruptions in supply chains and regulatory oversight have led to concerns about potential increases in food fraud-related incidents. In addition, the pandemic further exacerbated the issue of widespread and severe food insecurity in Africa, providing optimal conditions for fraudulent agents in the supply chain to perpetrate fraud. However, little is known about how food fraud manifests on the continent. Scope and approachThis review explores food fraud in the African context, emphasising the impact of COVID-19. The study provides examples of food fraud and challenges of critical stakeholders in the supply chain, including consumers, industry, and regulators in combating food fraud. It also discusses recommendations for researchers and policymakers to reduce fraud and improve the quality and safety of food along the supply chain.Key Findings and Conclusions: There is consensus that the pandemic has created an environment that makes consumers more vulnerable to food fraud. However, there are significant data gaps on the incidence of food fraud, making statistical comparisons difficult. The monitoring of food fraud incidents, especially in Africa, remains in its early stages, limiting food fraud prevention efforts. Improved data collection and significant investments in testing infrastructure and technical know-how are required for developing evidence-based action plans to combat fraud at both national and intra-continent levels to safeguard consumer health.