The drive to eliminate fake food

Operation Opson, a co-ordinated operation against international counterfeiting gangs jointly run by Interpol and Europol, has resulted in nearly 100 arrests. In addition, more than 1,200 tonnes of fake or sub-standard food and nearly 430,000 litres of counterfeit drinks were seized.

The success of the operation has been partly attributed to the co-operation between national and international law enforcement agencies and the food industry.

At the International IP Enforcement Summit London, Intellectual Property Minister, Lord Younger, says: “Fake and sub-standard food poses a serious health risk to consumers and takes money away from legitimate producers and retailers. The UK will continue to share its expertise in the international fight against fake food and work with our partners to bring these unscrupulous criminal gangs to justice. Coordination was key to the success of Opson III, and the Intellectual Property Office played this vital role for the UK. Building on this, I will be hosting the 2014 Opson IV planning conference next month in London.”

The key aims of Opson include: the identification of the organised criminal networks behind the trafficking; the development of practical co-operation between the involved law enforcement, food and drug agencies and private companies; and to raise awareness of the dangers posed by counterfeit and sub-standard foods.