Abstract
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processed milk samples suspected of being adulterated on the Chinese market and, subsequently, relate their geographical origin to the earlier determined fraud vulnerability. A total of 52 UHT milk samples purchased from the Chinese market were measured to detect possible anomalies. The milk compositional features were determined by standardized Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, and the detection limits for common milk adulterations were investigated. The results showed that twelve of the analysed milk samples (23%) were suspected of having quality or fraud-related issues, while one sample of these was highly suspected of being adulterated (diluted with water). Proportionally, more suspected samples were determined among milks produced in the Central-Northern and Eastern areas of China than in those from the North-Western and North-Eastern areas, while those from the South were in between. Combining the earlier collected results on fraud vulnerability in the Chinese milk chains, it appears that increased fraud prevalence relates to poorer business relationships and lack of adequate managerial controls. Since very few opportunities and motivations differ consistently across high and low-prevalence areas, primarily the improvement of control measures can help to mitigate food fraud in the Chinese milk supply chains.
Highlights
The dairy industry in China has developed in parallel with the country’s economic growth.The average annual milk consumption of Chinese consumers reached 36 kg per capita in 2016, though this is still lower than the average world consumption [1]
A certain degree of variation in the milk composition was observed among the three milk pools analysed by Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (Table 1)
The fat and lactose contents of the control milk are in agreement with those of the raw milk in China, which are 3.6% to 4.2% w/w and 4.7% to 5.1% w/w, respectively [36,37]
Summary
The average annual milk consumption of Chinese consumers reached 36 kg per capita in 2016, though this is still lower than the average world consumption [1]. Liquid milk is the main type of dairy product in the Chinese market, with more than 90% of the raw milk being processed to liquid milk products [2]. The melamine infant formula incident in 2008 highlighted the vulnerability of the dairy industry in China and was a grave shock for this industry [4]. This incident resulted in great financial, as well as consumer confidence, losses for the sector. As a source of protein and calcium, plays an important
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