Food Fraud in 2025: What Every Food Business Must Know Now

2F499888 4A3F 45DC B6B1D9F9B1257D88 - Food Fraud in 2025: What Every Food Business Must Know Now

🔍 Understanding Food Fraud in Today’s World

In 2025, the food industry faces an invisible threat that goes beyond hygiene or shelf-life: food fraud. It’s no longer just about contaminated products—it’s about deliberate deception for economic gain. For exporters, manufacturers, and brand owners, food fraud is a business risk with legal, reputational, and financial consequences.

At SAFO Consultancy, we are witnessing increasing concerns from Sri Lankan and international clients who want to prevent fraud before it impacts their brand or export market access.


📈 Why the Spike in 2025?

Recent global reports show a dramatic rise in food fraud cases:

  • 665+ documented cases in 2024 alone (FoodChain ID)

  • High-risk products include honey, olive oil, seafood, spices, and dairy

  • Economic pressure, complex supply chains, and weak oversight in certain countries are fueling this trend


⚠️ Real Cases That Made Headlines

  • Fake Cheese, Real Loss: In the UK, scammers impersonated a retailer and stole £300,000 worth of cheddar.

  • Honey Awards Suspended: International judges pulled the plug on honey awards after lab tests found sugar syrup adulteration.

  • Fishy Business: Restaurants in Europe caught selling cheap pangasius as premium cod fillets.

These incidents show just how sophisticated and widespread food fraud has become—even in countries with robust controls.


🚨 What Does This Mean for Your Business?

Even if you’re not directly committing fraud, your brand, export approvals, and certifications could be at risk if your supplier is. Some risks include:

  • Product recalls

  • Loss of market access (especially in EU, UK, GCC markets)

  • Damage to consumer trust

  • Non-compliance with GFSI standards like BRCGS, FSSC 22000, and IFS


✅ How SAFO Consultancy Helps You Stay Protected

At SAFO Consultancy, we specialize in helping food businesses build fraud-resilient systems, especially for export-ready operations. Our approach includes:

  1. Food Fraud Vulnerability Assessments (VACCP) tailored to your supply chain

  2. Supplier assurance programs and audit-ready documentation

  3. Training sessions for purchasing, QA, and production teams

  4. Support in meeting GFSI-recognized food safety standards (BRCGS, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000)


🌱 Turn Food Fraud Risk Into a Trust-Building Opportunity

Consumers and regulators demand transparency. Companies that proactively address fraud vulnerabilities not only meet compliance—they also build long-term trust in their brand.

Whether you’re a local SME or a large-scale exporter, food fraud prevention must be part of your food safety culture.


🛡️ Ready to Secure Your Brand?

Let’s assess your food fraud vulnerabilities and build a system that protects both your product and your reputation.

📞 Hotline: +94 77 3611640
📧 Email: info@safoconsultancy.com
🌐 www.safoconsultancy.com