According to food quality news, nearly 26 million litres of fake alcohol has been seized as part of an INTERPOL-Europol operation.
Counterfeit alcohol was the most seized product, followed by meat and seafood in the sixth Operation Opson, which involved 61 countries. The report says: More than 9,800 tonnes and 26.4 million litres of fake food and drink worth an estimated €230m were seized during 50,000 checks at shops, markets, airports, seaports and industrial estates.
Products detained ranged from alcohol, mineral water, seasoning cubes, seafood and olive oil, to luxury goods such as caviar. The totals are down from last year for food and up for beverages as more than 11 tonnes and nearly 1.5 million litres of items were seized by 57 countries.
Chris Vansteenkiste, head of Europol's Intellectual Property Crime Coordinated Coalition said: “Once again the good cooperation on a European and global level was paramount to disrupt the criminal gangs behind the illicit trade in counterfeit and unregulated food and drink."
1. Italy
Italian authorities seized more than 266,000 litres of mineral water (almost 32,000 bottles) in Lazio imitating a registered trademark. Labels and shapes of the containers were similar to genuine products. Investigations revealed the water came from the same source. However, no market authorization had been granted and one person was arrested.
2. Russia
In Russia, police took action against illegal alcohol production and distribution networks. In Leningrad, officers found a factory producing and bottling sub-standard alcohol and using faked federal stamps.
3. Germany
The German operation focused on undeclared peanuts, cashews and almonds in hazelnut products imported into the country. When 1,300kg of roasted chopped hazelnuts were checked, German authorities detected 8% of mixed peanuts. In 500kg of hazelnut paste, up to 45% of mixed cashew nuts were found. In another hazelnut paste, 27% of mixed almonds were present. As the products were not labeled as containing allergenic substances there was a potential health risk for allergy sufferers and they were withdrawn from the market.
4. Greece
Greek authorities discovered two illicit storage sites of alcohol last month. The investigating team found products were smuggled mostly from Bulgaria to evade excise duties. Almost 1,300 litre of smuggled alcohol (vodka and whisky) was seized and five people arrested.
5. Portugal
More than 300,000 cans of fish were held following a raid on a factory in Porto by the Portuguese Food Safety and Economic Authority (ASAE).
6. Togo
In Togo, police seized nearly 1,000 canned drinks and 2,000 boxes of pasta. Picture: Interpol Françoise Dorcier, coordinator of INTERPOL’s Illicit Goods and Global Health Programme, said: “Whilst thousands of counterfeit goods have been taken out of circulation, we continue to encourage the public to remain vigilant about the products they buy.” 7. Indonesia In Indonesia, the National Agency of Drug and Food Control discovered a factory producing fake condiments and sauces in unsanitary conditions.
Nearly 32,000 boxes worth an estimated €360,000 were recovered and tests showed they contained additives exceeding recommended maximum amounts.
8. Peru
Peruvian authorities seized expired food and drinks including colorants, estimated at around €145,500. More than 6kg of fat was found in poor storage conditions with insects and rats in the preparation area.
9. Nigeria
In Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control seized more than 51 litres of fake champagne. The annual operation was supported by customs, police and national food regulatory bodies as well as the private sector. Meanwhile, one of the most famous Nigerian women Mrs Yetunde Oluremi Oni Director of Administration and Human Resources (NAFDAC), is presently the acting director-general of the Nigerian Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Counterfeit alcohol was the most seized product, followed by meat and seafood in the sixth Operation Opson, which involved 61 countries. The report says: More than 9,800 tonnes and 26.4 million litres of fake food and drink worth an estimated €230m were seized during 50,000 checks at shops, markets, airports, seaports and industrial estates.
Products detained ranged from alcohol, mineral water, seasoning cubes, seafood and olive oil, to luxury goods such as caviar. The totals are down from last year for food and up for beverages as more than 11 tonnes and nearly 1.5 million litres of items were seized by 57 countries.
Chris Vansteenkiste, head of Europol's Intellectual Property Crime Coordinated Coalition said: “Once again the good cooperation on a European and global level was paramount to disrupt the criminal gangs behind the illicit trade in counterfeit and unregulated food and drink."
1. Italy
Italian authorities seized more than 266,000 litres of mineral water (almost 32,000 bottles) in Lazio imitating a registered trademark. Labels and shapes of the containers were similar to genuine products. Investigations revealed the water came from the same source. However, no market authorization had been granted and one person was arrested.
2. Russia
In Russia, police took action against illegal alcohol production and distribution networks. In Leningrad, officers found a factory producing and bottling sub-standard alcohol and using faked federal stamps.
3. Germany
The German operation focused on undeclared peanuts, cashews and almonds in hazelnut products imported into the country. When 1,300kg of roasted chopped hazelnuts were checked, German authorities detected 8% of mixed peanuts. In 500kg of hazelnut paste, up to 45% of mixed cashew nuts were found. In another hazelnut paste, 27% of mixed almonds were present. As the products were not labeled as containing allergenic substances there was a potential health risk for allergy sufferers and they were withdrawn from the market.
4. Greece
Greek authorities discovered two illicit storage sites of alcohol last month. The investigating team found products were smuggled mostly from Bulgaria to evade excise duties. Almost 1,300 litre of smuggled alcohol (vodka and whisky) was seized and five people arrested.
5. Portugal
More than 300,000 cans of fish were held following a raid on a factory in Porto by the Portuguese Food Safety and Economic Authority (ASAE).
6. Togo
In Togo, police seized nearly 1,000 canned drinks and 2,000 boxes of pasta. Picture: Interpol Françoise Dorcier, coordinator of INTERPOL’s Illicit Goods and Global Health Programme, said: “Whilst thousands of counterfeit goods have been taken out of circulation, we continue to encourage the public to remain vigilant about the products they buy.” 7. Indonesia In Indonesia, the National Agency of Drug and Food Control discovered a factory producing fake condiments and sauces in unsanitary conditions.
Nearly 32,000 boxes worth an estimated €360,000 were recovered and tests showed they contained additives exceeding recommended maximum amounts.
8. Peru
Peruvian authorities seized expired food and drinks including colorants, estimated at around €145,500. More than 6kg of fat was found in poor storage conditions with insects and rats in the preparation area.
9. Nigeria
In Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control seized more than 51 litres of fake champagne. The annual operation was supported by customs, police and national food regulatory bodies as well as the private sector. Meanwhile, one of the most famous Nigerian women Mrs Yetunde Oluremi Oni Director of Administration and Human Resources (NAFDAC), is presently the acting director-general of the Nigerian Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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