More than €90 million in counterfeit food and drink products were seized across the European Union last year, according to a new report from the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The operation, coordinated by Europol and Interpol, highlights the growing scale and sophistication of food fraud in the region.
While counterfeit goods are often associated with luxury brands, the EUIPO report shows that food and beverages are now the second most commonly seized category at the EU’s external borders. In 2024 alone, authorities confiscated 22,000 tonnes of fake food and 850,000 litres of mainly alcoholic drinks. The operation led to the dismantling of 11 criminal networks and the reporting of 278 individuals to judicial authorities.
The EU has over 3,600 food and drink products protected under geographical indications (GIs), which legally safeguard items linked to specific regions. These include well-known Irish products like Irish whiskey, Achill Island Sea Salt, Sneem Black Pudding, Irish Grass Fed Beef, and the Waterford Blaa. Under GI rules, only products genuinely originating from their registered regions can bear these names.
Counterfeiting is particularly rampant in the wine and spirits sector, where annual losses are estimated at €2.28 billion across the EU, along with nearly 5,700 jobs. For Ireland alone, counterfeit GI products account for around €40 million in lost sales annually.
France, Italy, and Germany lead both in the production and consumption of GI-protected goods, with France alone responsible for 32% of all EU GI sales. Wine makes up more than half of EU GI consumption, making it a prime target for counterfeiters.
The EUIPO warns that fake food and drink products not only cause economic harm but can pose serious health risks. Some seized goods were found to contain dangerous substances such as methanol, mercury, fipronil, and toxic pesticides.
Criminal groups involved in counterfeiting often use sophisticated methods, such as refilling genuine bottles or producing convincing fake labels, making detection difficult. China and Turkey were named as the most common countries of origin for counterfeit goods entering the EU.
In response, the EUIPO has launched a campaign to raise consumer awareness, urging people to buy only from trusted retailers and to verify labels. “Counterfeit food and drink products are a major public health concern,” said EUIPO Executive Director João Negrão. “This is a battle we must fight together: authorities, producers and consumers alike.”
The report, titled What’s on Your Table?, underscores the need for stronger enforcement and informed consumer choices to protect public health and support EU producers.
