The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have published a 2024 UK Food Crime Strategic Assessment (FCSA).  

 

Produced by National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) and the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit (SFCIU) it follows the previous 2020 assessment and discusses the seven different types of food crime.  

 

The report has found that in the UK, the majority of food is safe and authentic, but factors such as recent geopolitical events have caused disruptions in the food chain which in turn have contributed to the changing threat of food crime.  Other key findings include:  

• the UK’s food supply has experienced disruption, with new opportunities for criminal diversification;  

• more is now known about the individuals who are involved in committing crime within food supply chains.  

The report is the organisations’ assessment of the threat facing the UK from criminals who seek to profit from serious fraud within the food chain.  It is shared with local authorities, government partners and industry to better inform collective work in protecting legitimate businesses and consumers from this threat.   

Food crime is a significant threat to any food or drink business operator, with many associated food safety risks. Even when the issue is not one of safety, fraud such as misrepresentation or substitution can have huge reputational and financial costs for implicated businesses and brands. 

Campden BRI have therefore produced the Beating Food Crime eBook on how to address and manage the threat of food fraud, food defence issues and other criminal activities. 

You can download this eBook here