Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
What's in your food? Sometimes, reading the list of ingredients or the nutrition facts label may not tell the real story. Food adulteration, or "food fraud," occurs when an ingredient is replaced partially or fully with something different - without the knowledge of the consumer. A new study published in the April issue of the Journal of Food Science researches food adulteration to see how to better protect the nation's food supply. Why does food fraud occur? It's mostly "technical and economical," according to Dr. John Spink, study author and assistant director of the anti-counterfeiting and product protection program at Michigan State University. "However, there are some cases where there can be serious health consequences."
After reviewing more than 1,300 records and creating a database of information, researchers pinpointed the most frequently adulterated foods. What are they? Keep clicking to find out...
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
10. Vanilla extract (TIE)
Percentage of total records adulterated: 2
Tampering includes substituting naturally-derived vanilla with synthetically-produced vanilla.
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
10. Maple syrup (TIE)
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
10. Grape wine (TIE)
Percentage of total records adulterated: 2
In some instances, a toxic sweet chemical called diethyleneglycol has been added to wine.
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
10. Apple juice (TIE)
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
6. Coffee
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
5. Orange juice
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
4. Saffron
Percentage of total records adulterated: 5
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
3. Honey
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
2. Milk
Percentage of total records adulterated: 14
China has experienced several recent episodes of milk tainted with the industrial chemical melamine. Melamine has been added to milk and infant formula to make them appear more rich in protein, HealthPop reported.
Food frauds: 10 most adulterated foods
1. Olive oil
In some instances, Italian olive oil has been replaced with cheaper Greek olive oil.