Food News

The impact on the transport sector due to rising fuel prices is clear. What further consequences are there for the food industry?

Food production is also affected by the rise in fossil fuel prices, as many processes involve heat treatment. Prices for processed foods will therefore rise. Agriculture, as the primary producer of all plant and animal raw materials, is doubly affected: on the one hand by high fuel prices and on the other by the crisis-induced indirect rise in costs for fertilisers and plant protection products, without which our intensive farming practices cannot function. The packaging industry is also affected by significant cost increases, as all plastic packaging is ultimately made from petrochemical products such as films and PET packaging. These risks are relatively easy to identify. But to what extent is food safety also affected by the crisis? We know from past experience that crop failures and other events that have temporarily disrupted global supply chains have always also increased the risk of fraudulent manipulation. Food companies are therefore not only affected by the direct impacts of global crises mentioned above, but must also anticipate quality issues. Even with well-established supply chains, increased vigilance and more frequent checks are advised. 

What are the typical risks?

For example, the mixing of raw materials of varying quality and origin. This can lead to problems arising from hidden changes to specifications or incorrect declarations, unexpected contamination (mycotoxins, pesticides, allergens, genetically modified organisms, etc.) as well as microbiological contamination. Deliberate manipulation is also possible, such as the substitution of expensive raw materials – which have become scarce due to the crisis – with inferior or even prohibited ‘substitutes’.

YOUR PLUS: The AGROLAB GROUP’s laboratories are familiar with and can identify typical manipulation practices and advise you on temporarily adapting your testing plans.

Author: Dr Frank Mörsberger, AGROLAB GROUP