Fraudulent species substitution in e-commerce of protected denomination origin (pdo) products

Given the lack of statistics on the incidence of food fraud in the EU, the rise in international and e-commerce trade, the objective of this paper is to evaluate Italian PDO cheese and meat products in order to verify compliance with their specifications, food labeling and each product’s originality and conformity with European Community requirements, as well as to highlight the problems and risks faced by e-commerce consumers. The results of this study shows that 44/80 (55%) samples were incorrectly labeled, mismatching with their product specifications. Of these, Real-Time PCR analysis revealed that 20/28 (71.4%) dairy PDO products and 24/52 (46.1%) PDO meat product samples involved species substitutions. In order to protect the authenticity of a PDO product and to ensure consumer protection, there is a crucial need for efficient application of innovative foodsafety management systems by implementation of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), TACCP (Threat Assessment Critical Control Point) and VACCP (Vulnerability Assessment and Critical Control Points), and development of adequate e-commerce-specific laws.