Can you find fake foods ? Do you know what you’re really eating ?

Can you find fake foods ? Do you know what you’re really eating ?

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Before you decide to shell out lots of cash on a wheel of aged Parmesan cheese, or buy that surprisingly cheap saffron, stop and think about what you might actually be buying. In recent years, the black market has got even more involved with food produce. You’ll be surprised at what you might really be paying for and consuming.

Could you tell the difference?

Before you decide to shell out lots of cash on a wheel of aged Parmesan cheese, or buy that surprisingly cheap saffron, stop and think about what you might actually be buying. In recent years, the black market has got even more involved with food produce. You’ll be surprised at what you might really be paying for and consuming.

Russian crime gang were brewing fake vodka under the alias ‘Glen’s Vodka’ in England. The packaging of the vodka was so good, liquor stores across Great Britain were none the wiser. The scheme was only exposed when 20 people across Europe were found to have died from drinking the fake vodka.

Vodka

Russian crime gang were brewing fake vodka under the alias ‘Glen’s Vodka’ in England. The packaging of the vodka was so good, liquor stores across Great Britain were none the wiser. The scheme was only exposed when 20 people across Europe were found to have died from drinking the fake vodka.

Caviar is a dish that always boasts high price tags in restaurants and shops alike, but not all of the caviar you buy will be from the traditional roe from beluga sturgeon as you might expect. As the demand for beluga caviar rises and the fish population declines, black market con artists have started selling on the North American paddlefish eggs– the fish is far cheaper and there is more fish roe available.

Caviar

Caviar is a dish that always boasts high price tags in restaurants and shops alike, but not all of the caviar you buy will be from the traditional roe from beluga sturgeon as you might expect. As the demand for beluga caviar rises and the fish population declines, black market con artists have started selling on the North American paddlefish eggs– the fish is far cheaper and there is more fish roe available.

Your favorite pizza and pasta topping might not actually be parmesan at all! Some packaged, grated ‘parmesan’ is filled with 'cellulose powder, potassium sorbate and cheese cultures', and the cheese might actually contain wood pulp… To make sure you’re buying the real deal in stores or restaurants, look for the real name ‘Parmigiano-Reggiano’ and the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) seal and of course a ‘Made in Italy’ seal should mean you’re safe.

Parmesan cheese

Your favourite pizza and pasta topping might not actually be parmesan at all! Some packaged, grated ‘parmesan’ is filled with ‘cellulose powder, potassium sorbate and cheese cultures’, and the cheese might actually contain wood pulp… To make sure you’re buying the real deal in stores or restaurants, look for the real name ‘Parmigiano-Reggiano’ and the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) seal and of course a ‘Made in Italy’ seal should mean you’re safe.

Individuals and companies have been chemically doctoring cheap, low-grade olive oil to dupe consumers and retailers into thinking it was ‘extra virgin olive oil’. The scam has been around since 2008, and those involved are so good at the process that even olive-oil professionals sometimes don’t know the difference. According to the New York Times: “Much of the extra virgin Italian olive oil flooding the world’s market shelves is neither Italian, nor virgin".

Olive oil

Individuals and companies have been chemically doctoring cheap, low-grade olive oil to dupe consumers and retailers into thinking it was ‘extra virgin olive oil’. The scam has been around since 2008, and those involved are so good at the process that even olive-oil professionals sometimes don’t know the difference. According to the New York Times: “Much of the extra virgin Italian olive oil flooding the world’s market shelves is neither Italian, nor virgin”.

Kobe beef is said to be ‘the best meat you will ever try’. But up until a few years ago, the only place Kobe could be bought was in Japan. Which means, many restaurant go-ers were spending three-figure sums buying what they thought was Kobe but actually was regular beef. There are only 10 companies allowed to sell the meat in the US, so watch out for that pricey steak next time you want to try the delicacy.

Kobe beef

Kobe beef is said to be ‘the best meat you will ever try’. But up until a few years ago, the only place Kobe could be bought was in Japan. Which means, many restaurant go-ers were spending three-figure sums buying what they thought was Kobe but actually was regular beef. There are only 10 companies allowed to sell the meat in the US, so watch out for that pricey steak next time you want to try the delicacy.

The sweet treat you put in your tea or add to your breakfast is actually the third most faked food in the world. Honey laundering is a real thing! Food-safety experts in the US found honey sold wasn’t actually honey, but a mixture of corn or rice syrup, malt sweeteners or ‘jiggery’ (cheap, unrefined sugar) and a small amount of real honey. Some honey – imported from Asia – was found to contain toxins like lead, as well as an antibiotic called chloramphenicol.

Honey

The sweet treat you put in your tea or add to your breakfast is actually the third most faked food in the world. Honey laundering is a real thing! Food-safety experts in the US found honey sold wasn’t actually honey, but a mixture of corn or rice syrup, malt sweeteners or ‘jiggery’ (cheap, unrefined sugar) and a small amount of real honey. Some honey – imported from Asia – was found to contain toxins like lead, as well as an antibiotic called chloramphenicol.

In 2006, the truffle region in France (Périgord) was affected by an intense heat wave which saw truffle crops fall from 50 tons to 9 tons. With the drop in numbers, some savvy scammers saw a gap in the market. Conveniently, the Chinese black truffle looks almost identical and dubious importers made sure truffle-lovers were satisfied. But at $50 per ounce, you wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of the scam.

Truffles

In 2006, the truffle region in France (Périgord) was affected by an intense heat wave which saw truffle crops fall from 50 tons to 9 tons. With the drop in numbers, some savvy scammers saw a gap in the market. Conveniently, the Chinese black truffle looks almost identical and dubious importers made sure truffle-lovers were satisfied. But at $50 (£39) per ounce, you wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of the scam.

Not too long ago, Inside Edition looked into the use of lobster in products such as lobster bisque, lobster ravioli, lobster roll (pictured) and lobster salad in 28 US restaurants nationwide. The DNA lab testing showed that less than a third of dishes contained real lobster - the rest offered cheap seafood imitations.

Lobster

Not too long ago, Inside Edition looked into the use of lobster in products such as lobster bisque, lobster ravioli, lobster roll (pictured) and lobster salad in 28 US restaurants nationwide. The DNA lab testing showed that less than a third of dishes contained real lobster – the rest offered cheap seafood imitations.

As a branded product, no sparkling beverage should be called champagne unless it comes from the Champagne region of France. But of course, this doesn’t stop companies from using the label. André calls itself champagne, but it’s actually made in California. But they aren’t the first to try this, and they won’t be the last. In early 2016, Italian police seized 9,000 bottles of counterfeit Moët & Chandon Champagne worth up to $350,000 (£265k) – the bottles were filled with sparkling table wine.

Champagne

As a branded product, no sparkling beverage should be called champagne unless it comes from the Champagne region of France. But of course, this doesn’t stop companies from using the label. André calls itself champagne, but it’s actually made in California. But they aren’t the first to try this, and they won’t be the last. In early 2016, Italian police seized 9,000 bottles of counterfeit Moët & Chandon Champagne worth up to $350,000 (£265k) – the bottles were filled with sparkling table wine.

According to the Michigan State University FFI’s list, coffee is the fifth most fake product in the world. Blue Mountain beans (pictured) cost around $93.25 per pound (£70), and it’s easy for scammers to simply print a fake logo on the packaging. To avoid being conned into buying a cheap alternative, check for a certificate of authenticity. Top tip: always buy whole bean coffee from a reputable source to make sure you’re buying the real deal.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee

According to the Michigan State University FFI’s list, coffee is the fifth most fake product in the world. Blue Mountain beans (pictured) cost around $93.25 per pound (£70), and it’s easy for scammers to simply print a fake logo on the packaging. To avoid being conned into buying a cheap alternative, check for a certificate of authenticity. Top tip: always buy whole bean coffee from a reputable source to make sure you’re buying the real deal.

The most well-known milk scandal was in China in 2008. The scam was a food safety incident which contained milk and infant formula, along with other food materials being adulterated with melamine. An estimated 300,000 victims were affected, while six children died from kidney stones from the product. The chemical made the formula seem as though there was a higher protein content when mixed with milk. Four year earlier, watered-down milk caused the death of 12 infants from malnutrition.

Milk

The most well-known milk scandal was in China in 2008. The scam was a food safety incident which contained milk and infant formula, along with other food materials being adulterated with melamine. An estimated 300,000 victims were affected, while six children died from kidney stones from the product. The chemical made the formula seem as though there was a higher protein content when mixed with milk. Four year earlier, watered-down milk caused the death of 12 infants from malnutrition.

There are two types of cinnamon around – Cassia Cinnamon and Ceylon Cinnamon – but Cassia is fake. If Cinnamomum cassia, just cinnamon, or an origin anywhere other than Sri Lanka is printed on the label, your cinnamon isn’t real. You should also note the taste, real Ceylon cinnamon is sweeter than cassia, which is often spicy or hot. “True” cinnamon flavor comes from the Ceylon Cinnamon tree, but the bark of the Cassia tree can also be sold as cinnamon.

Cinnamon

There are two types of cinnamon around – Cassia Cinnamon and Ceylon Cinnamon – but Cassia is fake. If Cinnamomum cassia, just cinnamon, or an origin anywhere other than Sri Lanka is printed on the label, your cinnamon isn’t real. You should also note the taste, real Ceylon cinnamon is sweeter than cassia, which is often spicy or hot. “True” cinnamon flavour comes from the Ceylon Cinnamon tree, but the bark of the Cassia tree can also be sold as cinnamon.

Vanilla is a favorite ice cream flavor and a popular ingredient for many other creations. But there’s a fake vanilla out there – vanillin. Vanillin can be both real and fake extract... It's a naturally occurring chemical compound found within the vanilla bean, but, it can also be created without the vanilla bean for a fraction of the cost, from pine sap, clove oil and even from wood pulp, a by-product of the paper industry. Top tip: Clear vanilla is always an imitation or artificial product.

Vanilla

Vanilla is a favourite ice cream flavor and a popular ingredient for many other creations. But there’s a fake vanilla out there – vanillin. Vanillin can be both real and fake extract… It’s a naturally occurring chemical compound found within the vanilla bean, but, it can also be created without the vanilla bean for a fraction of the cost, from pine sap, clove oil and even from wood pulp, a by-product of the paper industry. Top tip: Clear vanilla is always an imitation or artificial product.

When it comes to fake saffron, it could be anything that looks similar to a saffron thread colored to mimic the real stuff. Saffron hails such a high price tag because it takes 159 (saffron crocus) flowers to make a single gram of dried saffron! That's why if it’s cheap, it ain’t saffron. Here are the tell-tale signs to spot a fake – threads tend to be clumped together and are slightly torn and the yellow tendril may not be connected to the main red thread of saffron.

Saffron

When it comes to fake saffron, it could be anything that looks similar to a saffron thread coloured to mimic the real stuff. Saffron hails such a high price tag because it takes 159 (saffron crocus) flowers to make a single gram of dried saffron! That’s why if it’s cheap, it ain’t saffron. Here are the tell-tale signs to spot a fake – threads tend to be clumped together and are slightly torn and the yellow tendril may not be connected to the main red thread of saffron.

Scallops sell for quite a pop at restaurants or from a fishmonger. Bearing this in mind, beware of retailers trying to take advantage. Some have been known to substitute large deep sea scallops (less tender) for the smaller, more sought after bay scallops. And even worse, some have tried to pass off shark for scallops. If you want to buy scallops, look out for uniformity. Scallops that are the same size and shape show producers might have cut the scallops from bigger scallops or even shark.

Scallops

Scallops sell for quite a pop at restaurants or from a fishmonger. Bearing this in mind, beware of retailers trying to take advantage. Some have been known to substitute large deep sea scallops (less tender) for the smaller, more sought after bay scallops. And even worse, some have tried to pass off shark for scallops. If you want to buy scallops, look out for uniformity. Scallops that are the same size and shape show producers might have cut the scallops from bigger scallops or even shark.

According to The Independent, In Australia, a batch of peanuts was found to be repackaged and re-labelled as pine nuts. This of course, could have been fatal to anyone with a peanut allergy sending them into anaphylactic shock, posing a public health risk. If you do have a serious peanut allergy, it might be worth checking the consistency of nut products you want to buy – better to be safe than sorry.

Peanuts

According to The Independent, In Australia, a batch of peanuts was found to be repackaged and re-labelled as pine nuts. This of course, could have been fatal to anyone with a peanut allergy sending them into anaphylactic shock, posing a public health risk. If you do have a serious peanut allergy, it might be worth checking the consistency of nut products you want to buy – better to be safe than sorry.

Now this one’s a biggy. Counterfeit Scotch Whisky is such a big business, there’s actually the Scotch Whisky Association, a team of lawyers hoping to drain the world of fake Scotch. Watch out for too low prices, because that indicates fake whisky. Make sure your bottle of Scotch is lot coded, which can be ink-jet printed on to a label or the bottle, or it may be etched into the glass. Counterfeited spirits often aren’t lot coded. This year 10,000 litres of adulterated liquor was found in the UK!

Scotch Whisky

Now this one’s a biggy. Counterfeit Scotch Whisky is such a big business, there’s actually the Scotch Whisky Association, a team of lawyers hoping to drain the world of fake Scotch. Watch out for too low prices, because that indicates fake whisky. Make sure your bottle of Scotch is lot coded, which can be ink-jet printed on to a label or the bottle, or it may be etched into the glass. Counterfeited spirits often aren’t lot coded. This year 10,000 litres of adulterated liquor was found in the UK!

Between November 2015 and February 2016, Interpol-Europol underwent an investigation to find counterfeit goods across 57 countries. Bolivian police found a warehouse with thousands of cans of 'sardines' (stuffed with other little fish) with fake labels of a famous Peruvian brand ready to stick on. That's not the fishy surprise you'd want!

Sardines

Between November 2015 and February 2016, Interpol-Europol underwent an investigation to find counterfeit goods across 57 countries. Bolivian police found a warehouse with thousands of cans of ‘sardines’ (stuffed with other little fish) with fake labels of a famous Peruvian brand ready to stick on. That’s not the fishy surprise you’d want!

COURTESY MSN.COM