Food fraud hotline launched

The Food Standards Agency has set up a special food fraud hotline to gather information on known or suspected fraudulent activity in the sale or marketing of food.

Calls to the hotline, on 020 7276 8527, will be put through to an answerphone where callers can leave their reports. This answerphone will be checked regularly.

Callers should leave as much information as possible as it will enable the Agency to help local authorities as they investigate food fraud.

All reports are treated in the strictest confidence, but it is useful to be able to verify and follow up reports, so callers are encouraged to leave contact details.

Food fraud is any deliberate deception for financial gain when placing food on the market. This can include selling food that is potentially harmful, or deliberately deceiving the consumer as to the nature or origin of the food.

In addition to the hotline, there are a number of other methods of notifying the Agency about known or suspected fraud.

Words: Clare Riley

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