Supply Chains Under Pressure Can Trigger Food Scandals

According to Lloyd’s Register, supply chains are still under pressure due to COVID-19. This could lead to another scandal in the food and beverage industry, warns Lloyd’s Register. The concern is particularly about the less stringent monitoring of food and beverage production.

(Cologne) The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to the next major case of food fraud since the horsemeat scandal in 2013 if protocol values continue to decline, according to Lloyd’s Register, the food safety specialist. As the supply chain continues to be affected by the current pandemic, concerns are growing in the global food and beverage industry that vigilance against various forms of food fraud has diminished. Reports from several European countries, including Scotland, Italy, and Spain, indicate that the current situation has created factors or motivations for food crime.

Global Supply Under Pressure

The global supply is currently under enormous pressure. Disruptions in transport, reduced workforce, and decreased production capacity are leading to fluctuating food quality. Additionally, new suppliers have emerged who may not have been vetted to the same standards as established suppliers that can no longer meet demand. When the delivery and production of food and beverages can no longer be monitored as strictly, it becomes easier to commit food fraud. The substitution of ingredients and the relabeling of outdated items have previously been illegal cost-saving measures. Logistics and production bottlenecks could now lead to food fraud being committed just to keep up with demand. Kimberly Carey Coffin, Global Technical Director – Supply Chain Assurance at Lloyd’s Register: “In this uncertain time, we must remain vigilant regarding all forms of food fraud, as the industry is more vulnerable than ever. With consumer trust and product safety more important than ever, we urgently call on companies to continue taking the right precautions to ensure the integrity of the supply chain.”

Risks Are Increasing

As the risks of catastrophic food fraud scandals increase, companies must ensure they engage suppliers that are verified to international standards. Supply chain integrity programs from independent assurance specialists, such as Lloyd’s Register, can ensure product provenance through the appropriate certifications and audits. Coffin continues: “The value of your brand depends on the quality of the food and beverages delivered. At Lloyd’s Register, we have enhanced our remote audit services to ensure that standards are met.” “More than ever, the reputation of organizations is at stake. A food fraud scandal could have catastrophic consequences for an already struggling industry. Staying vigilant and seeking support for verification and certification can help avoid this.”

About Lloyd’s Register Germany

Lloyd’s Register is committed to improving the quality & safety of safety-critical products, systems, and management systems: we assess, evaluate, and certify according to nationally and internationally recognized standards, norms, and regulations. As a certification body, Lloyd’s Register audits and certifies processes, management systems, and suppliers across nearly all sectors – from automotive, machinery and plant engineering, metal and chemical industries, to food, healthcare, aerospace, and transport and logistics. Training, risk analyses, and risk mitigation solutions complete the portfolio for business assurance. From planning to manufacturing, from commissioning to decommissioning: Lloyd’s Register opens market access for manufacturers with more than 60 accreditations (e.g., for ASME; PED, IBR, etc.) and offers services as an Approved Inspection Body (ZÜS) around pressure equipment as well as fire and explosion protection for operators. The profits generated are channeled into the non-profit Lloyd’s Register Foundation with the aim of promoting research and education in engineering as well as public engagement. Photo: © Adobe Stock www.lr.org/de