An investigation revealed that 14 farms in Pavia falsely sold rice and cereals as organic while using banned pesticides and unlawfully obtained EU funds. Yield discrepancies prompted scrutiny, with broader risks of rice fraud emerging globally. Consumers are advised to be vigilant about sourcing and certificate authenticity when purchasing rice.
A legal limit is only useful if we can verify it reliably
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has introduced ERM-BD801, a certified reference material for detecting cocoa-butter equivalents in chocolate, replacing the exhausted IRMM-801. This advancement is crucial for maintaining authenticity testing against non-compliance cases in Germany and the UK, which highlight issues with misleading labeling and ingredient claims. Validated reference materials are essential for effective enforcement in the chocolate industry.
