The European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee has approved a draft report of legislation that calls for stronger policing of the food industry and tougher penalties for fraud. With an aim to strengthen procedures for detection and prevention of fraudulent practices in the European food chain, the legislation calls for, among other things, (i) a clear, European Union (EU)-wide definition of the term “food fraud”; (ii) enhancements to the Food and Veterinary Office’s role and resources in food-fraud cases; (iii) legal obligations for food business operators to report fraudulent behavior; (iv) a “more policing approach” by enforcement bodies; (v) fines of “at least double the amount of the economic advances sought”; and (vi) the forfeiture of registrations for repeat offenders. The report noted that olive oil, fish, organic foods, milk, and grains are the top five products most at risk of food fraud in the EU.

 

Issue 506

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For decades, manufacturers, distributors and retailers at every link in the food chain have come to Shook, Hardy & Bacon to partner with a legal team that understands the issues they face in today's evolving food production industry. Shook attorneys work with some of the world's largest food, beverage and agribusiness companies to establish preventative measures, conduct internal audits, develop public relations strategies, and advance tort reform initiatives.

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