The Ind Food & Beverage Association (IFBA) has unveiled a comprehensive white paper titled ‘Spurious and Counterfeit Food Products: An Industry Perspective on Measures and Handling.’
Presented to Nidhi Khare, Secretary , Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCA), the report delves into the pervasive challenges of food fraud, specifically targeting spurious and counterfeit food products. It offers strategic insights and actionable measures to combat this pressing issue.
Discussing the white paper, Nidhi Khare said, “In recent years, incidents of food fraud have significantly increased, posing serious risks to consumers, industries, and public health. Spurious and counterfeit products are a major menace in every sector. At the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), we work diligently to create awareness and protect consumers from such activities. I am pleased that IFBA members have collaborated to produce this white paper, which adopts a multifaceted approach, engaging consumers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to resolve this pressing issue.”
Deepak Jolly, Chairperson, IFBA, said, “As the global food and beverage industry grapples with the escalating threat of spurious and counterfeit products, the IFBA remains at the forefront of safeguarding consumer interests by promoting awareness of food safety and regulatory compliance. The release of this white paper reaffirms our commitment to promoting food safety, consumer trust, and industry integrity. We believe the report will be instrumental in effectively addressing the growing threat of spurious and counterfeit products.”
This white paper is written by the IFBA Focus Group, and includes significant contributions from Ferrero India, Coca-Cola, Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, Nourishco Beverages, and Glanbia Performance Nutrition. Its primary objectives are to safeguard consumer health, protect legitimate businesses, and strengthen the integrity of the food supply chain, ensuring a safer and more reliable market for all stakeholders.
The white paper is available for download at the following link: Spurious and Counterfeit Food Products: An Industry Perspective on Measures and Handling.
