Food industry perceptions and actions towards food fraud: Insights from a pan Canadian study

Food fraud is becoming a major concern for the food industry, consumers and governments. Food industries are accountable for food fraud management and, since January 2018, must implement measures to counter food fraud as part of a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) scheme. However, information related to Food Business Operators' (FBO) perceptions and knowledge on food fraud is still very scarce. Hence, from October 2017 to April 2018, FBOs from different sectors across Canada were invited to answer an online survey of 52 closed-ended questions about their perceptions of food fraud and food fraud management. Close to 400 Canadian FBOs filled out the survey. This paper aims to present their perceptions, concerns and needs relative to food fraud, and their practices to manage and prevent this risk. Answers were collected and analyzed to build a representative picture of the Canadian food industry's perceived readiness and awareness of food fraud. A Kruskal—Wallis test was used to analyze differences among producers, processors and distributors regarding perceptions and knowledge of food fraud. This study provides valuable insights allowing academics and regulators to adapt their communication and collaboration with food industry stakeholders. It could also be used by FBOs as a first base for self-assessment.