A new report from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reveals a concerning trend in food compliance, with more than half of tested pre-shredded cheese products failing to meet regulatory standards. The issue centers around the use of cellulose, a wood-derived additive, and raises questions about the authenticity of commonly purchased grocery items. The CFIA’s annual findings,spanning April 2023 to March 2024,highlight ongoing efforts to combat food fraud and protect consumers from deceptive practices across a range of products,from olive oil to spices.
Pre-shredded cheese is a convenience many consumers enjoy, but a recent report reveals a significant portion of these products don’t meet regulatory standards. The issue stems from the addition of cellulose, a wood-derived ingredient used to prevent clumping, and raises concerns about potential financial losses for shoppers.
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According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), only 55% of pre-shredded cheese products tested in the country met compliance standards. The agency’s findings highlight a persistent issue with excessive cellulose levels in these products, a practice that has drawn scrutiny for some time.
“The practice of adding excessive cellulose as a filler is fraudulent and results in financial loss for consumers, who are paying for cellulose instead of cheese,” the CFIA stated in its most recent Annual Report on Food Fraud, covering the period from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. This report underscores the agency’s commitment to protecting consumers from deceptive practices in the food industry.
Pre-shredded cheese received the lowest compliance rate of all food categories tested by the CFIA. The agency conducts targeted testing and surveillance activities to prevent and detect food fraud, with investigators visiting retail locations, importers, and processors to collect samples of potentially compromised products.
In addition to cheese, the CFIA’s market surveillance program focused on coconut water, fresh meat, spices, sunflower oil, and tea. A total of 323 samples across these five categories were analyzed nationwide. The findings reveal varying levels of compliance, with some products posing a greater risk of fraud than others.
Coconut water showed a concerning non-compliance rate of 21%, meaning 79% of samples met standards. Conversely, all samples of meat and sunflower oil were compliant, while tea achieved a high compliance score of 99%. Spices, known for their susceptibility to adulteration, had a non-compliance rate of 16%.
It’s important to note that the number of samples tested varied significantly across categories, with only 19 sunflower oil samples analyzed compared to 101 spice samples.
The CFIA conducted more in-depth studies on spices, testing turmeric samples for artificial coloring and utilizing genomic analysis to verify the authenticity of saffron samples and detect potential adulterants.
Olive Oil Concerns
The CFIA’s targeted surveillance also examined foods prone to fraud, notably olive oil, which is recognized as the most adulterated food commodity globally. The agency’s findings in this area are particularly noteworthy given the premium price point of genuine olive oil.
Olive oil (and other expensive oils) had the second-lowest compliance rate, with nearly a quarter (24%) of tested samples failing to meet standards. Common fraudulent practices include diluting olive oil with cheaper alternatives.
Investigators also tested honey (88% compliance) and fish (92% compliance), two categories that frequently present challenges. The agency cautions that year-over-year comparisons should be interpreted with caution due to evolving analytical methods. In the previous reporting period, 68% of pre-shredded cheese and 83% of olive oil samples were deemed compliant, while other oils (such as hazelnut or avocado) achieved a modest 62% compliance rate.
Food fraud is a well-established issue, and the CFIA’s ongoing efforts are crucial for maintaining consumer trust and market integrity. A total of 1,035 food products were tested during this reporting period, including organic fruits and vegetables and fruit juices.
The agency also verified 345 labels to ensure compliance, focusing on organic produce labels. Of the 46 label checks conducted, only one was found to be non-compliant – concerning Dutch beets.
In some cases, such as meat and fish, agents conduct DNA testing to confirm the species indicated on the label. Several projects are underway, including one specifically examining pomegranate juice to detect potential dilution with cheaper juices like grape or apple.
Non-compliant products are removed from shelves and may be destroyed, although the CFIA does not publicly disclose the identities of offenders at this stage.
Consumer awareness of food fraud is relatively high. A recent survey by the CIRANO Barometer on risk perception found that over a quarter of Quebec residents (28%) perceive food fraud as a significant or very significant risk. However, this figure is down from 32% in 2022, suggesting a potential shift in public concern.
