Austrian meat with false ‘Origin Italy’ labels, cold cuts of unknown origin, fake Speck IGP. The gallery of horrors. On 12.3.19, the Carabinieri Agri-food Protection Department (RAC)in Parma breaks up illicit trafficking, seizing several tons of counterfeit food.
Fake ‘Origin Italy’ on meats and cold cuts
The first round of RAC seizures involves three batches of products with false ‘Origin Italy’ claims, meaning they are of unknown origin. At least 170 thousand euros was the value of the seized goods:
– Austrian pork labeled with ‘Origin Italy’. The 5,040 packages of pork loin were seized along with 182,323 tricolor labels, proving the preordination of a criminal project of far greater magnitude. However, military personnel from the Agri-food Protection Department instantly stopped the illegal trade,
– semi-finished products of unknown origin.
More than 4 tons of meat derivatives intended to produce frankfurters, yet lacking the necessary documentation to ensure traceability and thus food safety,
– false ‘Sudtiroler Speck Alto Adige PGI’. Nearly 9 tons of bacon and loin in 60 thousand packages were seized along with 1.5 million (!) fake labels. Once again, RACs nip in the bud a colossal fraud to the detriment of the heritage of Geographical Indications (PDOs, PGIs, TSGs) in which Italy stands out in Europe.
Responsible subjects
‘
were reported for conspiracy to sell industrial products with false signs, in connection with Art. 4, Paragraph 49, Law 350/2003, Protection of Made in Italy.‘. It is now the turn of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will also have to assert administrative responsibility Of the companies involved. In the meantime, 29,500 euros in administrative fines have been imposed, including for violating production specifications and the brand’s self-control plan ‘
Sudtiroler Speck Alto Adige PGI.
‘.
Unknown origin
Another operation ended with the seizure of 7 tons of Igp cured meats, sausages and speck of unknown origin. Carabinieri from the RAC in Parma have intercepted batches of meat foods lacking the essential requirements to trace their origin and ensure their safety.
The Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Agribusiness provides for the seizure of various references:
– ‘
Sudtiroler Speck Altoadige PGI.
‘, 3,788 packages totaling 490 kg. Merchandise lacking the proper production lot references,
– slices of meat and processed meat products, 6.2 tons with a value of 50 thousand euros. An entire batch of unknown origin, with no traceability, sent for destruction,
– Mixed cold cuts and sausages, such as bresaola, bacon, speck, salami and rump, totaling 127 kg. Once again, defect in the elements essential to trace the meat supply chains.
The three enterprises involved suffered the seizure of 6,837 kilograms of foodstuffs and the application of administrative fines in the total amount of 7 thousand euros. The operation was conducted by the Carabinieri of the Parma RAC in cooperation with the territorial police force and relevant ASLs.
Marta Strinati and Dario Dongo
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
