Mercury, Methanol, or Toxic Pesticides: The Risks of Counterfeit Food and Drinks Highlighted by EUIPO

Food ranks as the second most seized category of counterfeit products at the external borders of the European Union. These pose a "risk to consumer health," while economically they cause negative repercussions for brands and the gastronomic heritage of European countries.

These are the two main conclusions drawn by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), based in Alicante, in its campaign 'What's on the Table?' which aims to alert the public about the risks of consuming counterfeit food and drink brands.

This is a "growing threat" carried out by criminal networks using the latest technology to make counterfeits increasingly convincing. Worse still, they can pose a serious health problem for consumers.

The European office in Alicante insists that "health risks are a primary concern" and details that authorities have detected fraudulent food products containing "dangerous substances such as methanol, mercury, fipronil, and various toxic insecticides or pesticides."

With China and Turkey frequently identified as the countries of origin for these types of counterfeits, it is estimated that Spain is the leading European country in losses in the alcoholic beverages and wine sector due to counterfeiting, losing 380 million euros and affecting the destruction of 1,100 jobs annually.

EUIPO offers some advice in its campaign to "protect" against these fraudulent products. They recommend buying "from official stores, distribution channels, and websites." Verifying the product's labeling and origin are other basic points, as well as checking certification logos.

They also highlight examining the packaging and the product itself, as counterfeits often present defects and spelling errors. "The use of authentication tools, such as QR codes and holograms, can also help verify a product's authenticity," explains the European office.

Another key point they provide is related to official geographical indication labels, which can be decisive in identifying counterfeits. "Geographical indications (GI) allow consumers to identify quality products while helping producers better market their products," highlights EUIPO, noting that there are over 3,600 registered products with these characteristics in Europe.