Food counterfeiting is rarely obvious to the average consumer and can easily go unnoticed. A copied label, a reused pack or a reprinted date code can look genuine at first glance and be easily overlooked. However, the risks are not only commercial, counterfeit and substandard goods can introduce safety concerns, including undeclared allergens, contamination or ingredients that do not match what the label claims.
In the UK, the Food Standards Agency estimates the total cost of food crime at £410 million to £1.96 billion per year (FSA, 2023). Across Europe, Europol and INTERPOL’s annual OPSON operations continue to seize large volumes of counterfeit and substandard food and beverages, including €91 million in product value seized during operation OPSON (2024).
This is not limited to “fake brands”. It can include altered provenance, relabelled expiry information, fraudulent returns and misrepresented product claims (e.g. non-organic goods passed off as organic or diluted products, such as seed oil).
Barcodes, QR codes and holograms can support traceability, but they can still be copied or reapplied.
Our Q-ID® technology uses the inherent randomness of quantum materials to create an invisible, quantum-unique optical signature. That signature is verified in seconds with a standard smartphone camera, giving you a practical authentication step at the points that matter: manufacturing, packing, distribution, retail and consumer validation.
With Q-ID®, food manufacturers, retailers and consumers can:
If you would like to know more about how our quantum solution can help you protect your food products, please get in touch with our team today.