NVWA shares analysis of fraud in the meat sector

An overview of studies in the Netherlands shows that financial gain is the main motive for fraud in the red meat sector.

The analysis by the Intelligence and Investigation Service of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA-IOD) is based on more than ten years of research into the red meat chain.

By sharing insights from investigative practice from 2010 to 2023The NVWA hopes to increase the awareness of companies and government officials about fraud possibilities and risks, so that they can take measures to combat fraud or report it to the NVWA.

By committing fraud, a company can save costs or generate additional income. While some do this to remain financially viable, others simply want to generate as much profit as possible.

Complex supply chain
According to the NVWA, the sector has the primary responsibility for preventing fraud. Fraud in the red meat supply chain can harm food safety, public and animal health and welfare. Some forms of fraud may also have a negative effect on consumer confidence and competition between companies.

There are thousands of companies in the sector in the Netherlands, with many links in the chain and import and export activities.

Many of the forms of fraud identified by the NVWA-IOD affect the traceability of animals and meat throughout the chain. Another area is the sale of meat from illegal slaughter and animal by-products unfit for human consumption. Cases have been identified involving regular meat sold as organic and the origin of which has been changed. Other examples include changing documents, recording incorrect data or omitting information.

According to NVWA-IOD, service providers such as cold stores and veterinarians play a crucial role in preventing or facilitating fraud due to their position in the chain.

The Public Prosecution Service (Public Prosecution Service) orders an investigation and the prosecution often takes several years. Restrictions on investigative powers hampered some investigations involving meat products rather than fresh meat.

Example areas of fraud
From 2018 to 2023, NVWA-IOD registered 200 fraud signals in relation to the red meat chain. Most signals in this period were registered in 2020, with more than 50.

From 2010 to 2023, NVWA-IOD conducted 38 investigations into fraud and other illegal activities in the segment. The agency also contributed to a further 22 investigations between 2016 and 2023.

NVWA-IOD acknowledged that these figures may not reflect the extent of fraud in the red meat chain, as the practice is difficult to detect and the agency’s focus and enforcement priorities influence the data.

Fraud involving live animals may involve veterinary medicines and antibiotics, keeping more or fewer animals than stated in official documents, welfare problems during transport and illegal export using forged certificates.

In 2016 and 2017, NVWA-IOD registered fraud signals surrounding the trade in horses with forged passports. In 2022, the agency again registered several signals about fraudulent practices in the horse trade.

Illegal slaughter can take place when the slaughterhouse is not NVWA supervised, for example outside regular opening hours. Animals can also be killed in unauthorized establishments. Two such cases involving sheep occurred in 2020 and 2023.

Some frauds are carried out to save costs or make money. This includes mixing batches of meat, adding sulphites to hide poor quality, or adding water to increase the weight of the meat without this being stated on the label.

One investigation in 2016 involved the sale of meat through a closed Facebook group. It was suspected that meat was being sold that was not intended for human consumption. Although the investigation showed that the supplier was not registered for the preparation and processing of meat products, it was not possible to trace the origin of the meat. Fines and community service were imposed on suspects, but an appeal was lodged.

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