IAEA launches project to support food authenticity

The project is carried out in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The aim of the project is to support countries in fighting food fraud especially of premium products like honey, coffee, oils and certain rice varieties.

“In order to protect consumers from fraud, and potential unintended food safety issues, we need standardized methods to confirm that the product has the characteristics that are claimed on the label.“ Simon Kelly, project coordinator and IAEA food safety specialist, explains the background of this project.

The head of our Tentamus Center for Food Fraud (TCF²), Arne Dübecke, joined the kick-off meeting in order to discuss options for international collaboration and support projects with expertise in the area of food fraud analysis. “Supply chains are global, thus food fraud is global as well. We need international collaboration to get on top of the problem.” Arne Dübecke, head of the Tentamus Center for Food Fraud (TCF²) says. “An international approach like the one initiated by IAEA involving the countries of origin of the premium products often targeted by fraudsters is crucial.” he further explains.

The outcome of this project will facilitate international trade, as authenticity of products is assessed objectively by the methods that will be developed and thus compliance with regulatory requirements is increased.