UK food fraud cost study

A study by the University of Portsmouth, published in the Journal of Economic Criminology, provides the first comprehensive estimate of the economic cost of food fraud in the United Kingdom, placing it between £400 million and £2 billion annually. The research, led by Dr David Shepherd and Professor Lisa Jackson, analyzed 221 media-reported cases and used a synthesis-based model to capture the full impact, including displacement of legitimate products, which accounts for about three-quarters of the total cost. The study highlights that food fraud, while relatively rare due to robust supply chain controls, undermines honest businesses, distorts markets, and can pose serious public health risks, such as counterfeit spirits containing industrial chemicals. It also suggests that increased enforcement could yield a return on investment exceeding 400%, providing a strong economic case for stronger prevention and prosecution efforts.