The Food Crime Strategic Assessment examines areas of the food supply chain which may be vulnerable to food crime, as well identifying emerging threats which need to be addressed.
The assessment found that most food crime relates to two broad activities – either selling something of little or no value to the food chain as edible and marketable, or selling passable food, drink or feed as a product with greater volume or more desirable attributes.
‘Our assessment demonstrates that while the UK has some of the safest and most authentic food in the world, the threat posed by criminals remains.
‘As we face new challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, we aim to create a hostile environment for those engaging in food crime and will continue to work with partners to ensure that food is safe and what it says it is.
These areas include combatting the selling of dangerous non-foods sold for human consumption, preventing illegal shellfish entering the food chain, and increasing understanding of the use of online platforms to facilitate food crime.
The Unit will continue its work with local authorities, law enforcement agencies and the food industry to prevent and protect against incidences of food crime and take action when they occur.
We define food crime as serious fraud and related criminality in food supply chains.
It can be seriously harmful to consumers, food businesses and the wider food industry.
The National Food Crime Unit is a dedicated law enforcement function of the Food Standards Agency.
The unit provides leadership on food crime across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The unit works closely with the Scottish Food Crime and Incidents Unit within Food Standards Scotland.
The NFCU is tasked with protecting consumers and the food industry from food crime within food supply chains.