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The Jordan Harbinger Show

1088: Counterfeit Foods | Skeptical Sunday

Dec 8, 2024
Jessica Nguyen, a writer and researcher specializing in food counterfeiting, dives into the shadowy world of the agromafia, a $16 billion global criminal enterprise. She reveals shocking examples of everyday food fraud, from mislabeled sushi to harmful additives in coffee. The potential health risks are severe, including melamine-tainted milk and nitrate-injected tuna. Nguyen emphasizes the need for consumer awareness and the challenges in regulating a complex, border-crossing food supply chain that often lets counterfeit foods slip through.
01:03:41

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Food counterfeiting, driven by the agromafia, is a $16 billion-per-year global industry infiltrating every level of the food supply chain.
  • Everyday foods like olive oil and seafood are frequently counterfeited, with studies showing alarming mislabeling practices in restaurants and stores.

Deep dives

The Prevalence of Counterfeit Food

Counterfeit food is a widespread issue affecting all levels of the food supply chain, from basic staples to luxury items. Nearly every food product is susceptible to fraud, meaning consumers are often deceived about what they are eating. For instance, basic items like milk and bread, as well as premium goods like artisanal cheese and fine wines, can be fakes. The normalization of counterfeit food means that almost anyone who consumes food is at risk of being deceived, often without realizing it.

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