Food Fraud!

A new watchdog group has surfaced and hit the news. Have you heard about the Food Fraud?

U.S. Pharmacoepeial Convention is a non-profit group of detectives who have been discovering fake ingredients in food products. The database was released Wednesday:

FOOD FRAUD 

Common foods that they are finding to be altered are: 

• Olive oil: often diluted with cheaper oils
• Lemon juice: cheapened with water and sugar
• Tea: diluted with fillers like lawn grass or fern leaves
• Spices: like paprika or saffron adulterated with dangerous food colorings that mimic the colors

I read more about the group on this ABC article. Another one seen on CNN.

What are the big issues with foods being misrepresented on the labels? Number one problem I see is that people with food allergies are trusting that the ingredients are represented correctly and make decisions accordingly. My nephew has a severe peanut allergy and I know my sister spends a lot of time reading labels to make safe food choices for him. What do you think the biggest issue is?