A comprehensive summary of investigations by the Intelligence and Investigation Service of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA-IOD) has revealed that financial gain is the primary motive for fraud in the red meat sector. The analysis, spanning over ten years of investigations from 2010 to 2023, aims to raise awareness among companies and government officials about fraud opportunities and risks, encouraging preventive measures and reporting to NVWA.
Complex Supply Chain and Fraud Risks
The red meat industry bears the primary responsibility for preventing fraud, which can compromise food safety, public health, and animal welfare. Fraud can also erode consumer confidence and create unfair competition. The sector in the Netherlands consists of thousands of companies, with a complex supply chain involving numerous links and significant import and export activities.
The NVWA-IOD identified various types of fraud affecting the traceability of animals and meat, including the sale of meat from illegal slaughter, mislabeling regular meat as organic, and altering the origin of meat. Document falsification, inaccurate data recording, and omission of crucial information are also prevalent issues. Service providers like cold stores and veterinarians play a crucial role in either preventing or facilitating fraud due to their positions within the supply chain.
Investigation and Prosecution
From 2018 to 2023, the NVWA-IOD registered 200 fraud signals related to the red meat chain, with the highest number recorded in 2020. Over the period from 2010 to 2023, the NVWA-IOD conducted 38 investigations into fraud and illegal activities, contributing to another 22 investigations between 2016 and 2023. However, these figures might not fully represent the scale of fraud, as detection is challenging and influenced by the agency’s focus and enforcement priorities.
Example Areas of Fraud
Fraud involving live animals can include misuse of veterinary medicines and antibiotics, discrepancies in animal records, welfare issues during transport, and illegal export with forged certificates. Instances of fraud in horse trading, including the use of forged passports, were noted in 2016, 2017, and 2022.
Illegal slaughter often occurs without NVWA supervision, such as outside regular hours or in unapproved establishments. Two notable cases of illegal sheep slaughter occurred in 2020 and 2023. Cost-saving or profit-driven fraud includes mixing meat batches, adding sulfites to conceal poor quality, or adding water to increase weight without proper labeling.
In a 2016 investigation, meat suspected to be unfit for human consumption was sold via a closed Facebook group. The supplier, not registered for meat preparation and processing, could not trace the meat’s origin. The suspects faced fines and community service, although an appeal was lodged.
By sharing these insights, NVWA-IOD aims to enhance vigilance against fraud and strengthen preventive measures within the industry.