EU Committee Proposes Tougher Penalties for Food Fraud

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