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SFVS representative Jurgita Savickaitė told news portal tv3.lt that although there is still no exact agreement on what could be considered “food counterfeits”, there are hundreds of cases in which some suppliers try to circumvent them by offering a low quality.
“Food counterfeiting is something relatively new both in Lithuania and in EU countries, and so far there is no consensus on a harmonized definition within the EU of what is specifically considered” food counterfeiting “.
Across the EU, food counterfeiting or suspicions increase every year: if in 2016 157 cases were detected in 2017 (178 cases in 2017, 234 cases in 2018); There were already 292. In Lithuania, as in the EU, more cases of counterfeiting are recorded every year.
However, the number of cases detected does not mean that more counterfeiting of food products has started, on the contrary, evolving, more sensitive and technologically advanced investigation methods and the improved legal framework allow control authorities to identify more cases of this type and apply more effective control and prevention measures, ”said J. Savickaitė.
Name the most counterfeit products
When asked which products generally do not meet the quality standards declared on the label, J. Savickaitė said that counterfeits occur at the European level for both meat products and vegetables, fruits or fish products.
In terms of food counterfeiting at the EU level, the largest number of counterfeits in recent years has been for fats and oils, fish and fish products, meat and meat products, fruits and vegetables, and poultry and meat products, spices and herbs.
Regarding risk factors, most of the discrepancies are due to improper labeling, substitution of product ingredients, dilution, addition, removal, processing of an unapproved product, documentary discrepancies, infringements of intellectual property rights ” said the interlocutor.
The interviewee observes that a similar trend persists in Lithuania. Until recently, the SFVS identified possible counterfeits of olive oil at the points of sale of the retail chains Iki, Maxima and Rimi, which were put into circulation.
“We detected the majority of cases of counterfeit food by evaluating olive oil, as well as fish and fishery products. This year alone, the SFVS detected 5 counterfeit olive oil, when after conducting detailed sensory testing of olive oil In accredited laboratories, experts classified the examined extra virgin olive oil in a lower quality category than that declared on the label, which can already be treated as food counterfeiting.
Besides olive oil, counterfeits are also found in other products.
“In the case of counterfeit fish and fishery products, most of the cases were due to species changes where the product did not meet the declared names, such as sardines in oil: studies were carried out to substitute other sardines for canned sardines. “Commented a representative of the service.
Similar cases have been identified for salmon or salmon roe, where studies have identified discrepancies between species; In one case, the sale of eggs of unknown origin and unlabeled fish was detected and prohibited; there was no traceability of the product, which is also considered counterfeit. The identification of the species of fish is carried out by sensory tests, the coding of DNA bars is carried out.
SFVS inspectors have also investigated a case of brown sugar counterfeiting. The colored candy was added to the purified white sugar. According to the Regulation, this food additive cannot be present in any sweetener, syrup, honey or sugar.
“The European Commission’s information exchange platform also shares information on food counterfeiting investigations carried out in non-EU countries.
For example, information was provided on counterfeiting spiced saffron using non-food dyes in India. Based on this information, samples of spices were selected in Lithuania, tests were carried out, but no counterfeit products were detected, ”explained the SFVS representative.
Distinguishing between counterfeits is difficult
J. Savickaitė emphasizes that the main factor behind counterfeit food is the desire for more profit.
The interlocutor also mentions that this affects consumers, who find it really difficult to distinguish a counterfeit product from an original one. It is true that some details may indicate that the composition of the product is worse than that indicated on the manufacturer’s label.
“The main aspect is the search for economic, financial or other benefits. These are intentional acts that mislead the consumer or another economic operator.
Unfortunately, without specialized knowledge, skills, or the ability to perform complex laboratory tests, it is often nearly impossible for consumers to detect food adulterations. Anxiety could be caused unless the consistency, color, smell, or similar criteria of a commonly purchased product are different.
Furthermore, consumers are advised to choose recognized manufacturers or suppliers, carefully read product labels and pay attention to the packaging or the product itself. The suspicions must also be caused, for example, by a much lower price offered on the website of a foreign seller compared to the price normally paid for such a product, ”said the SFVS representative.
It is possible to get your money back
When asked about the reasons for the presence of counterfeit food products on the shelves, which are then bought by customers at a higher price than the product is actually worth, some of them emphasize that the responsibility lies with the suppliers, and these cases are very rare.
It is alleged, among other things, that an investigation into the counterfeiting of said olive oil is currently underway.
Ernesta Dapkienė, director of the communication and image department of the Maxima retail chain, ensures that all customers can get their money back or bring the product to the store for the counterfeit purchased.
“In our activities, we cooperate only with reliable suppliers and partners who supply all products that meet the requirements of legal and regulatory authorities and can provide supporting documents.
These cases, when products that may not meet quality requirements reach store shelves, are unique and occur in rare cases. In 2020, this was the only case where regulators had doubts about the quality of olive oil.
Upon receiving information about the situation, we immediately withdraw the product from sale. In the stores where the product in question was sold, we publish information about the defective product and the possibility of returning it and getting the money paid.
Certainly, in that case, if the customer buys a low-quality product, we invite him to return it and get the money paid for the product back, ”said E. Dapkienė.
At the time, Vaida Budrienė, Iki’s head of communication, also emphasizes that buyers can get their money back due to possible counterfeit products. However, more detailed information on potentially counterfeit products is not provided due to an ongoing laboratory test.
“The manufacturer is responsible for the quality of the products. The distribution network is responsible for guaranteeing the storage conditions required by the manufacturer.
Counterfeits occur metin rarely, we have 2 controversial cases. They are currently being tested in two EU laboratories. Due to this case (Olive Oil Counterfeits – Aut. Passed.) The test is performed in a certified laboratory. While the investigation is ongoing, we cannot comment much on anything.
The quality parameters are established for each batch of product separately. As long as buyers keep a sales receipt, money is refunded for a poor quality lot, ”said V. Budrienė.
The aforementioned retailers do not disclose the exact amount of potentially counterfeit olive oil sales to buyers.
Disagree with the study findings
Ana Čiudinienė, head of the quality department of the Rimi Lietuva chain of stores, stated that the company does not agree with the SFVS conclusions on the counterfeiting of olive oil.
Still, nearly 300 units of those products were sold, according to one retailer.
Rimi purchases products that meet the legal requirements from trusted and certified suppliers. Suppliers are committed to supplying only the highest quality products. Cases of counterfeit products entering points of sale are really rare.
We had two this year (fakes). The most common counterfeits are olive oil. 294 units went to supermarkets. mentioned oil, sold 280 pcs.
It is important to mention that the manufacturer does not agree with the conclusions of the State Food and Veterinary Service that the oil is a fake. At the initiative of the manufacturer, samples of the same batch of oil were sent to two foreign laboratories for re-analysis.
The money is returned to clients in accordance with legal acts and internal procedures, and we are always open to cooperation, ”said A. Čiudinienė.
Food inspectors, for their part, remind buyers that if there is any suspicion that a product may be counterfeit, it is recommended that the product be photographed, including its label, packaging, purchase receipt and that the complaint be registered in the SFVS website.
It is true that it is added that the SFVS does not have the right to accept food from the population for examination. However, upon receipt of the notification, in particular with the more detailed information and backup photographs or label copies, SFVS specialists have full authority to inspect the trader, supplier, wholesaler or manufacturer, if registered in Lithuania, for select and analyze samples.
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