Counterfeit Food Research Articles

Application of 2D Extension of Hjorth’s Descriptors to Distinguish Defined Groups of Bee Pollen Images

Adulteration of food products is a serious problem in the current economy. Honey has become the third most counterfeit food product in the world and requires effective authentication methods. This article presents a new approach to the differentiation of bee pollen, which can support the development of a methodology to test honey quality based on the analysis of bee pollen. The proposed method is built on applying the Hjorth descriptors—Activity, Mobility, and Complexity—known from electroencephalography (EEG) analysis, for 2D bee pollen images. The sources for extracting the bee pollen images were the photos of honey samples, which were taken using a digital camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels connected to the tube of an optical microscope. The honey samples used were prepared according to the Polish standard PN-88/A-77626 (related to the European standard CELEX-32001L0110-PL-TXT). The effectiveness of the proposed method was positively verified for three selected groups of bee pollen—Brassica napus, Helianthus, and Phacelia—containing 35 images. Statistical analysis confirms the ability of the Hjorth descriptors to differentiate the indicated bee pollen groups. Based on the results obtained, there is a significant difference between the bee pollen groups under consideration regarding Activity p<0.00001, Mobility p<0.0001, and Complexity p<0.00001.

On the issue of methods for the identification of melamine in milk and its processed products

The development and intensification of the dairy industry currently often leads to the appearance of counterfeit food products in circulation. Component adulteration of milk is widespread in relation to the most valuable protein component. To date, the problem is that the estimation of the amount of protein in milk and its processed products by arbitration methods is based on the determination of nitrogen and is currently imperfect, since when adulterated with nitrogencontaining substances such as melamine, urea gives false inflated values and does not allow for operational input and production control. We have analyzed the regulatory framework, scientific publications of domestic and foreign authors, review materials from open sources over the past 10 years on the issues of falsification of the protein component of milk and its processed products, methods of identification of adulterating components. As a result of the analysis of regulatory documents and scientific literature, it was established that the existing methods approved in regulatory documents are laborious to reproduce, require special equipment, training of personnel to work on this equipment, the use of chemical reagents and auxiliary equipment, often expensive. The modern method of identifying melamine using infrared analyzers will allow to establish its quantitative values with great accuracy in the presence of appropriate calibration dependencies, in many ways accelerate and simplify the procedure for delivery and acceptance of raw milk while maintaining quality and safety indicators at a high level in accordance with regulatory documents.

Nondestructive Technique for Identifying Adulteration and Additives in Lemon Juice Based on Analyzing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

In light of the frequent occurrence of counterfeit food sold in global commercial markets, it is necessary to verify the authenticity of tasty natural-plant-based products by checking their labels, as well as their pricing and quality control. Lemon juice has repeatedly been the victim of fraud attempts by manufacturers to lower the price of products. Electronic noses are used in many fields, including the beverage industry, for classification and quality control. This involves the detection and differentiation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from food. This study evaluated pure lemon juice and 11 counterfeit samples (water, lemon pulp, and wheat straw) using an electronic nose equipped with 8 metal oxide sensors to detect fraud. Chemometric methods such as principal component analysis (PCA), linear and quadratic analysis (LDA), support vector machines (SVMs), and artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to analyze the response patterns of the sensors. The outputs of eight sensors were considered as the input of the model and the number of lemon juice groups, and its adulterations were also considered as the output of the model. Of the total data, 60% (for training), 20% (for validation), and 20% (for testing) were used. According to the results, all models had an accuracy of more than 95%, and the Nu-SVM linear function method had the highest accuracy among all models. Hence, it can be concluded that the electronic nose based on metal oxide semiconductor sensors combined with chemometric methods can be an effective tool with high efficiency for rapid and nondestructive classification of pure lemon juice and its counterfeits.

Supply Chain Monitoring and Authentication Using Blockchain

Abstract: The Frozen Food industry produces and supplies packaged food products that are to be delivered at a particular freezing-points, therefore it is important that they are supplied in such an environment where they do not get damaged. To achieve this, continuous tracking of the shipped product must be monitored in a freezing environment where temperature and also humidity are maintained called supply chain management. During transportation of the packaged food, there may be a chance of getting damaged food like fluctuations in the temperature maintenance might cause food to be rotten. And there is a chance of leakage of canned goods or bulge at the ends which indicates the unhealthy and unhygienic condition of the packaged food. Quick Response (QR) codes provide a robust technique to fight the practice of counterfeiting the food products. Counterfeit food products are detected using a QR code scanner, where a QR code of the packaged good is linked to a Blockchain. And this system may be used to store shipped product details and generated unique code of that product as blocks in the database. So, we aim at two important aspects, firstly on continuous monitoring of supply chain and then on fake product detection which is done using Blockchain.

Fat Analysis of House Rat (Rattus tanezumi) in Meatball Using Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Combined with Principal Component Analysis

Counterfeit food products are starting to become a new problem around the people of Indonesia. Problems that are getting special attention especially the concern of contamination of food products by non-halal meat. This research aim was to analyze the fatty acids contained in house rat. The method that used was GC-MS method combined with Principle Component Analysis (PCA). Method of extraction grease was using oven at 90ºC - 100ºC for approximately one hour. After that, the derivatization process changed the fat into a methyl esters that easily evaporated. The derivatization process were using NaOCH3 and BF3. Methyl Esther compounds were injected into the chromatography instrument system GC-MS. GC-MS analysis results shows that the composition of fatty acid compounds from house rat fat with SI values > 90. Composition of fatty acids of house rat fats include: Myristate (0,19±0,03)%, Palmitoleat (2,40±0,29)%, Methyl Palmitate (27,65±0,32)%, oleate (45,81±3,25)%, and Stearate (4,65±0,28)%. Total content of house rat fatty acids was as high as 48.21% of unsaturated fatty acid and 31.49% of saturated fatty acids. The GC-MS method combined with PCA can post the fat of house rat. House rat fatty acids based on PCA's chemetrics demonstrate the resemblance of chemical physical properties with chicken fatty acids.

Diagnostics of counterfeit food products

In Russia, the concept of counterfeiting is defined as “Counterfeit food products are food products that are deliberately modified (fake) and (or) have hidden properties and quality, information about which is deliberately incomplete or unreliable” [5]. According to this definition, the main sign of counterfeiting is the willfulness of counterfeiting or willful concealment of information about the properties of products that are not obvious to the buyer. For laboratory testing activities, counterfeiting is basically one of two possible identification results, i.e. compliance or non-compliance of products with the requirements established by the technical regulations of the Customs Union, legislative, regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation. The most commonly identified nonconformity, in addition to food safety requirements, is an unreliable composition.

Improvement of economic, legal and organizational measures aimed at countering the turnover of counterfeit and adulterated food products

Improvement of economic, legal and organizational measures aimed at countering the turnover of counterfeit and adulterated food products

Assessment of Consumers’ Awareness and Exposure Levels to NAFDAC Media Campaign in South East Nigeria

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is a Nigerian Agency charged with the responsibility of quality control in the production and consumption of food and medication drugs. NAFDAC has initiated and is carrying out media campaign against counterfeit (fake) and substandard medication drugs and food. NAFDAC media campaign is targeted at correcting consumers’ attitudes and behaviours towards the purchase and consumption of these products. In spite of this long standing campaign, the existence of fake and substandard products is still high in the market with their inherent dangers. Apparently, their purchase and consumption are still high among consumers in the country. This study is to assess the consumers’ awareness and exposure levels to NAFDAC media campaign as the probable causes of the continued persistence of this ugly situation. The study was designed as a survey and interview schedule served as the measuring instrument. For the data analysis, Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used. The study showed that consumers were quite aware and exposed to the different NAFDAC media campaign messages mainly through radio and television. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that the Agency intensifies its campaign messages and surveillance to detect and close illegal drug markets in Nigeria and ensure that only the genuine drugs are sold at a cheaper rate to really prevent consumers from patronizing fakers consciously or unconsciously. Commensurate penal sanctions should also be meted on offenders as stipulated in the drug law to serve as a deterrent to others. Also, unlicensed drug vendors, should be licensed, trained and monitored to really force them to adhere to basic pharmacy code of conduct. Keywords: Media Campaign, Awareness, Assessment, Consumers DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-4-04 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

Developing anti-counterfeiting measures: The role of smart packaging.

Counterfeiting of food and beverage products is rife and premium brands are often targeted by fraudsters. Such is the case with Scotch whisky, a global, reputable brand revered for its heritage and tradition. Using Scotch whisky as a case study, the aim of this paper is to review existing literature and industry information to determine the market and personal consequences of counterfeiting activities and consider the packaging related anti-counterfeiting measures that can be employed within a wider anti-counterfeiting strategy. A typology of counterfeiting activities is developed including: tear-down counterfeiting, product overruns, malicious activities and document counterfeiting. Anti-counterfeiting measures are used to deter, detect and control counterfeiting activities and different packaging related approaches include the use of smart covert and overt technology. Most smart packaging-related anti-counterfeit technologies are stand-alone systems and this presents a vulnerability. An integrated anti-counterfeiting measures strategy, employed by business, the supply chain and the government is required to reduce the risk of the sale of counterfeit food and beverage products.

The role of information in consumers' behavior: A survey on the counterfeit food products

The presence of counterfeit food products appears to be rising and has not been opposed by close cooperation between producers, governments, or consumers organizations concerned with trade, health, and counterfeiting. The aim of this study is to identify and classify the relationships between the purchase of counterfeit food and the consumers’ characteristics in order to provide public and private decision makers a support in deciding strategies to counteract this problem. To reach this objective a survey was conducted in Italy during 2014-2016 with a sample of 405 consumers. A multiple correspondence analysis has been carried out. The preliminary findings point out the presence of different groups of consumers illustrating heterogeneous behaviors toward counterfeit food. In addition, the results demonstrate that the purchase of counterfeit food is often linked to lower income and a lack of information. Due to negative public effects of this phenomenon, it seems to be necessary to prevent dishonest trading and counterfeit food productions in particular encouraging cooperative approaches to provide consumers with information able improve their awareness.

Red-flagging counterfeit food

Red-flagging counterfeit food

Food Fraud and Risk Perception: Awareness in Canada and Projected Trust on Risk-Mitigating Agents

ABSTRACTDuring the past few years, food fraud has become a source of concern for consumers in many parts of the world. Major cases of food fraud have been found in Canada in recent months, including the Mucci case, in which Mexican tomatoes were sold as Canadian, as well as the case of a poultry farmer selling nonorganic chicken as organic. The authors aim to assess the level of awareness and trust among Canadian consumers in relation to fraudulent and counterfeit food products. This exploratory study is meant to establish latent determinants on consumers’ risk perception of food fraud in general. These determinants include education, income, geographical region, age, sex, and health-related predisposition such as food allergies and intolerances. To this end, a random survey was conducted across Canada in January 2017. A sample size of 1088 was used for this study. Findings indicate that older, more-educated consumers generally feel more vulnerable, to various degrees, than do other consumers. Consumers who are aware and have experienced food fraud previously are likely to trust other consumers as risk-mitigating agents more so than public regulators or industry. Several limitations are presented, and future research paths are suggested.

Предотвращение экологической опасности объектов автотранспортной инфраструктуры

This article deals with the problem of ecological danger of road infrastructure objects. Road infrastructure includes bus stations, bus depots, car service centers and roadside cafes located throughout the highway system. With the implementation of mass-produced counterfeit water and food in the catering outlets and around the purification of them from all kinds of infections is relevant.

An Empirical Research on Risk Perception for Infants Food Safety in Bengbu

As vulnerable consumers, healthy infants have been highly concerned. In order to make a research on risk perception for infants food safety in Bengbu Anhui province, we first conduct a questionnaire on status about parents risk perception levels for infants food safety in kindergartens in Bengbu urban district and its three administrative counties. By making the parents mark the factors when they purchase their infants food through the Likert Scale, we conclude that there are five crucial factors of genetically modified food, expired food, counterfeit food, pesticide residue and food additives. Meanwhile, this research also concerns about the parents demands for the information about food safety and government’s attitude towards supervision efficiency to infant food, some relevant results are arrived at and proposals are contributed as well.

The Counterfeit Food Crisis in China: A Systemic Problem and Possible Solutions

In 2008, infant milk powder laced with the toxic chemical melamime to exaggerate protein content was sold in Chinese markets, resulting in infant deaths and thousands of illnesses. Since then, the counterfeit food industry in China has become infamous. China’s central government has attempted to fight back against the production and sale of unsafe foods through evolving food safety laws. Yet, its people remain wary of food products originating from China, and counterfeit food items manufactured in China continue to invade both Chinese and foreign markets. This is arguably because of the dark underbelly of the Chinese government, corrupt local officials who avoid enforcing food safety standards due to the economic incentive to allow counterfeiting to occur. This article presents the counterfeit food problem that plagues China, and examines China’s response in the development of stricter and more standardized food safety law, promulgated from its central government. It then discusses why local government corruption occurs in China, and how such local corruption prevents China from realizing the effectiveness of its laws. Finally, this article proposes several mechanisms to combat the production and sale of counterfeit foods.

Counterfeit food

Counterfeit food

Research on Color Reproduction of UV Fluorescent Inkjet Ink

Counterfeit and shoddy food is becoming more and more rampant, which has put forward higher request towards the food packaging anti-counterfeiting materials and technology. UV fluorescent inkjet ink not only can greatly improve the situation, also can enhance the artistic effect of packaging. What’s more, it is more difficult to counterfeit. In order to obtain color reproduction regular pattern of UV fluorescent inkjet inks, grey scale which contented 21 levels was respectively printed. The color reproduction abilities of three kinds of fluorescent inkjet inks were compared. The effects of lightness and glossiness of the paper on the color reproduction of fluorescent inkjet inks were discussed. The white balance was adjusted by changing the dot percentages of fluorescent inkjet inks. The experimental results showed that color reproduction regular patterns and abilities of red, green and blue UV fluorescent inkjet inks were different. The lightness and glossiness of paper had a great influence on color reproduction; the white with maximum lightness had been obtained.