Manuka honey, extra virgin olive oil, and  truffles are among the goods many would keep on the shelf as a luxury item to serve up at a dinner party. 

Are you spending money on gourmet food?  

Prosecco and vanilla are just a few of the many highly sought after products that have seen companies jump at the chance to produce similar products for a very low price.

The result was widespread food fraud, which has seen supermarket shelves flooded with counterfeit Parmesan, Truffles, and Orange Juice. 

How can you distinguish the real deal from an imitation parmesan? FEMAIL shows you how to ensure that you get the genuine deal

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

Extra virgin olive oil is loved by nutritionists as it contains a whole host of health benefits and has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties - but often it's not real

Nutritionists love Extra Virgin Olive Oil because of its many health benefits. It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and other properties. However, it is often not true.

In the UK, all extra virgin olive oil must have the words: ‘the words ‘superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means’’ on the label.

WHAT TO DO IN ORDER TO SEEK REAL OLIVE OIL 

For the ingredient list, make sure to check the back of your bottle. 

Olive oil should only contain extra-virgin olive oils. 

It is possible to get a great deal on a cheap item.

Look out for the QvExtra quality seal on packaging.

Only extra-virgin olive oils are eligible for the seal. Random inspections at the mill as well as the point of sale ensure the oil meets all chemical, physical, and sensory requirements. 

In the UK, all extra virgin olive oil must have the words: ‘the words ‘superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means’’ on the label.

Nutritionists love Extra Virgin Olive Oil because of its many health benefits. It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and antioxidant properties.

High end grocers sell the cooking elixir for as much as £20 for a 750ml bottle.

However, experts in the industry believe that approximately 80 percent of extra-virgin olive oils found worldwide aren’t really extra virgin. 

Olive oil must have a pH of less than 0.8 percent to qualify as extra-virgin. 

Acidity can be affected by the time between picking olives and taking them into the mill to cold-press.

If olives sit longer, their acidity level and oil quality will decrease. 

A major factor in the final product is the cleanliness of its press. 

According to the US Davis Olive Center, 69% of California’s extra-virgin olive oil imports had been reduced with less expensive oils or were ‘compromise’, meaning they did not meet strict quality standards.

All edible oils, other than olive  oil and coconut oil requires chemical processing.   

If a label says Olive Oil, it is refined and filtered. Virgin Olive Oil does not need to be refined, filtered or purified. Extra Virgin Olive Oil however is more refined and less purified. 

Extra-virgin olive  oil has to pass lab analysis and sensory tests set by the Madrid-based International Olive Council.

However, this oil can also be mixed with other olive oils before being bottled. 

Experts recommend always purchasing extra virgin as it will make your product of lower quality.   

Labels for olive oil: What rules apply in the UK?  

According to the Foods Standards Agency  labels for extra virgin olive oil must display:

  • the name ‘extra virgin olive oil’
  • The designation of origin and geographical indication is protected from imitation
  • the words ‘superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means’

The following information must be displayed on labels for virgin olive oils:

  • the name ‘virgin olive oil’
  • Its designation as an origin
  • the words ‘olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means’

Extra virgin olive oil, and virgin oils may have additional details on labels.

  • first cold pressing – oils obtained below 27°C by traditional mechanical pressing
  • cold extraction – oils obtained below 27°C by percolation or centrifugal extraction from olive paste
  • Organismoleptic Properties – Based on the assessment of its smell or taste
  • Acidity (or maximum acidity) must contain the peroxide value and wax content as well as ultraviolet absorption.
  • Harvest year: If all olive oil was picked in one year, it can be labeled with both the month and the year.

The following must be displayed on olive oil labels made of virgin and refined olive oils:

  • name ‘olive oil composed of refined olive oils and virgin olive oils’
  • words ‘oil comprising exclusively oils that have undergone refining and oils obtained directly from olives’

Labels for olive oil in this type of category must not include the origin designation. 

Up to 30 September 2022, blended pure olive oils sold in Great Britain can display ‘Non-EU’ on labels.

From 1 October 2022, blended pure olive oil sold in Great Britain must not display ‘non-EU’ on its label, unless the product was already bottled and labelled before this date. You must include one of these:

  • A list of all countries from which the oil was derived is provided
  • a statement about its origin, such as ‘a blend of oils from more than one country’
  • a statement about its trading group origin, such as ‘a blend of olive oils of European Union origin’

 

 PROSECCO

The sparking Italian white wine made mainly from Glera grapes is one of the most popular fizzes in the UK - but are you sipping on real Prosecco?

Sparkling Italian white wine made mostly from Glera grapes, is one of Britain’s most loved fizzes. But are you actually sipping real Prosecco?

Is there a label of origin on top of bottle (to show the protected origin status)? Does it say Prosecco on the bottle? If not, you've bought a sparkling wine from somewhere in Italy, but it's not authentic Prosecco. Real Prosecco can also only ever be sold in a bottle, so if you purchase it in a can or on tap, then it's also not 100 per cent authentic Prosecco.

Do you see a label of origin (to indicate the protected origin status of the bottle) on top? Do you see Prosecco written on the label? You may have bought sparkling wine made in Italy. However, it is not genuine Prosecco. Also, real Prosecco is only sold in bottles. If you buy it in cans or tap, it may not be 100% authentic Prosecco.

The sparking Italian white wine made mainly from Glera grapes is one of the most popular fizzes in the UK –  but  are you sipping on real Prosecco?

Prosecco is a protected designation of origin’. This means Prosecco DOC wines must be made in a particular area which is known historically for Prosecco production. Prosecco DOC names can be only used by those who are certified to follow the disciplinary guidelines. Some are just sparkling Italian wines.

A genuine Prosecco doesn’t always need to be fizzy like Champagne. It can also be tranquillo (still) or frizzante (“semi-sparkling”).

How to CheckDo you have a label of origin (to indicate the protected origin status of the bottle)? Do you see Prosecco written on the label? You may have bought sparkling wine made in Italy. However, it is not genuine Prosecco. Also, real Prosecco is only sold in bottles. If you buy it in cans or taps, it may not be 100% authentic Prosecco.

Lucia Giavi is the general manager for the Prosecco DOC Consortium. She explained that every bottle of Prosecco DOC should be stamped with a state marking which certifies the source and quality. Prosecco DOC wine can be distinguished from Prosecco DOC wine by the presence of a state mark that must be on each bottle.

TRUFFLE OIL & TRUFFLE SAUCE

Not every truffle oil contains real truffle. If you see a bottle that's rather cheaper than you expected, then it may be synthetic.

Some truffle oils do not contain genuine truffle. You may find a cheaper version of truffle oil in a container than expected.

Some truffle oils do not contain genuine truffle. You may find a cheaper version of truffle oil in a container than expected.

Many oils do not contain truffles at all. Instead, they are made from olive oil and 2,4-dithiapentane. This compound gives off the distinct scent of truffles.

WHAT TO DO: Take a good look at the bottle you’ve bought. 

Two things should make up the genuine item: truffles and olive oil. 

You can be sure that there are other ingredients in the container.

If there are any ingredients that go beyond ‘truffles’ and olive oil, then it is likely to be synthetic.  

ORANGE JUICE

Some orange juices contain as little as 15 per cent real fruit juice, and even then it may be a mix of orange and other fruit juices, along with flavourings and thickening agents.

Orange juices may contain only 15% of real juice. Some juices are made with other juices mixed in, but even these juices can still be made from oranges.

If you want to drink 100 per cent pure juice, watch out for any 'juice drinks' which are likely to be made from concentrate or be a mixture of other fruit juices, and flavourings.

Drink 100 percent pure juice. Be aware of any juice drinks made from concentrate or other fruits juices.

This is not a matter of focusing on the word ‘concentrate’.

Orange juices may contain only 15% of real juice. Some juices are made with other juices mixed in, but even these juices can still be made from oranges.

WHAT TO DO:You can only drink 100% pure juice if you avoid any juice drinks that are made with concentrates or other juices.

HONEY AND MANUKA HONEY 

Manuka is a super-healthy honey - made in New Zealand or Australia - are is loved by celebs for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, but many jars on UK shelves may not be the real thing.

Manuka honey is super healthy and is made in Australia or New Zealand. However, many of the jars sold on UK shelves might not contain real manuka.

Be wary of anything that claims ‘blend with non-EU honeys’. It may contain sugar syrups.

WHAT TO DO IN ORDER TO SEEK REAL HONEY

Sarah said a good way to find real honey is to look  online to the British Beekeepers Association to look up your local hives.

These people are open on days. They have sales. There is lots of chance to get in touch with honey producers from the area.

Sarah advises against using the term ‘blend’ on anything – because ‘there is never a reason to mix honey with it’.

Particularly avoid any product that claims “blend with non-EU honeys”, as these may indicate it contains sugar syrups.

As for Manuka honey,  always check the label closely. Original manuka honeys must have an UMF/MGO rating on their packaging. This measures active ingredients within the jar and should include the words ‘100% Manuka’.

Holly Ryding, senior brand manager for Real Health Manuka Honey, a 100 per cent pure manuka honey that retails for £23.99, told FEMAIL: ‘Natural, pure manuka honey has a rich golden colour and runny consistency. It’s usually a sign it’s been processed or heated.

“Manuka honeys found in supermarkets are often pale-colored. That is a sign it may not be straight from the hive. It could have been mixed, heated or processed which could damage manuka’s enzymes.

Manuka, a super-healthy honey that is made in Australia and New Zealand, is loved by celebrities for its antibacterial and viral properties. But many UK jars may not have the true thing.

A 2014 study found that only one out of seven samples of so-called manuka honey was found to have the required amount of the active ingredient, and a year earlier, it was discovered that there was more  honey on UK supermarket shelves with the label than had been produced in an entire year.

Many manuka honeys – which can cost more than £100 a jar –  are blended with common, table honeys to reduce the normally high price of the genuine product, which also reduces the health benefits.

Fake honey can also be used to make’regular’ honey. FEMAIL was informed by Sarah Wyndham Lewis, a London honey sommelier. She revealed that the practice of “honey-laundering” is so common in Europe that 10 million beehives could die. This is a particularly serious issue in the UK, where 86 per cent of the approximately 50,000 tonnes of honey Brits consume are imported.

Sarah, who runs sustainable beekeeping practice Bermondsey Street Bees with her beekeeper husband, added that honey is a luxury good and real honey can cost up to £8 a jar – and that it should be treated as a luxury good because it takes 12 bees their whole lifetime to make just one teaspoon of honey.

However, honey-laundering is now so widespread that budget supermarkets are selling it for as little as 80p – far lower than the cost of production (about £3.50 per kilo). 

Honey Authenticity Project conducted a study in 2020 which revealed that 13 honey brands had been subject to over 240 testing by FoodQS. This German accredited laboratory is certified. 

Nine products were tested, including Co-op Clear Honey 454g and Tesco Clear Honey 340g. It was found to contain psicose. Psicose is a sugar that doesn’t normally exist in honey.

Ten out of 13 samples, including Asda Set Pure Honey as well Sainsbury’s Clear Honey were tested for enzymes. This indicates that the honey may have been ‘adulterated inverted syrup’.  

BALSAMIC VINEGAR

In 2019, retailers were warned to check their shelves for fake balsamic vinegar after millions of pounds worth of inferior dressing was seized in Italy. Investigators confiscated £13million of low-grade vinegar made out of cheaper grapes.

After millions of dollars worth of fake balsamic vinegar was confiscated in Italy, retailers were warned that they should inspect their shelves for the imitation. Investigators confiscated £13million of low-grade vinegar made out of cheaper grapes.

Aceto Balsamico Traditionale is the label for balsamic vinegar. It also carries a D.O.P. (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) stamp.

How to check real balsamic wine 

Aceto Balsamico Traditionale is the label for balsamic vinegar. It also carries a D.O.P. (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) stamp.

The Moderna version means the item was manufactured in Moderna.

There are sulphites in balsamic vinegar so it is best to not add them. 

Following the seizure of millions of dollars of counterfeit balsamic vinegar in Italy, 2019, sellers were warned to inspect their shelves and beware of imitation balsamic. Investigators confiscated £13million of low-grade vinegar made out of cheaper grapes.

Authorities stressed the imitation version is not dangerous – but it is not authentic balsamic, so shoppers could be paying over the odds for a poor man’s copy.

The EU’s protected foods program requires that true balsamic must be produced only in Modena and Reggio Emilia. Only certain varieties of grapes can be used. Bottles cost anything from £3 for mass-produced versions to a staggering £350 for 50-year-old vintages.

Operation Global Wine was a fraud investigation that seized products made of low-grade grapes and fake authenticity documents.

It was the worst harvest of grapes in Italy for 60 years. This may have resulted in low quality grapes being used as vinegar.

VANILLA 

Synthetic vanilla accounts for about 94 percent of all vanilla flavouring used in the food industry (37,286 tons), with natural vanilla extract accounting for most of the remaining 6 percent - meaning you've probably eaten fake vanilla.

About 94% of vanilla flavorings used in food industries (37,286 tonnes) are synthetic vanilla. Natural vanilla extract accounts for the rest (6 percent). This means that you have probably had fake vanilla.

The food industry uses synthetic vanilla for approximately 94 percent (37.286 tons). Natural vanilla extract makes up the majority of the remaining 6 percent. This is likely why you probably have eaten fake vanilla.

Real vanilla is expensive – worth more than its weight in silver – at around £228 per kg, due to complex environmental and political reasons driving up the price.

Companies have used castoreum before to keep their prices low. It is a substance that’s excreted by a beaver.  

German chemists have discovered that vanilla pods do not contain vanillin. Instead, it can be extracted directly from the conifer plant.

How to CheckPre-made vanilla goodies are availableA mixture of synthetic vinegar and ually makes it easy to determine if You can verify that extract is genuine by checking the label.

Vanilla extract is prepared by boiling split vanilla beans, ethanol, and water. 

GROUND COFFEE 

Last year, an NHS doctor went viral on social media after posting a video which revealed insects are often found in pre-ground coffee beans.

A video posted by a doctor at the NHS last year showing insects in coffee beans was viral. 

A video posted by a doctor at the NHS last year showing insects in coffee beans was viral.

A British resident, Dr Karan Raj explained to me that coffee grounds often contain cockroaches or other insects in their ingredients. This should be avoided for those suffering from allergies.

The pre-ground coffee you buy in stores has a small amount of cockroaches. Some coffee beans are infested with cockroaches or other pests at a certain percentage.

“Usually, they cannot be fully processed. He explained that they are roasted with coffee beans and then ground together. 

“Most food authorities permit a certain amount of bugs in their food. The protein content of cockroaches is high. Cockroaches can be allergic so I would avoid pre-ground coffee.

He added: “Many people involved in coffee processing are allergic to cockroaches due to constant handling of the beans.”

WHAT TO DO:  Unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing this as grounds sellers don’t need to disclose this. The best way to avoid eating cockroaches, is to purchase beans and then grind them yourself. 

PARMESAN 

In 2016, a report found that cheese labelled as 100 per cent Parmesan in the US contained wood.

According to a 2016 study, cheese labeled 100 percent Parmesan in the US had wood.

Real Parmigiano-Reggiano is embossed at the wheel after inspection and approval by the Consortium. It will have dotted letters saying the name of the cheese, date of production, and the seal of approval of the Consortium.

After approval and inspection, Real Parmigiano Reggiano will be embossed at each wheel. After inspection and approval by the Consortium, the embossed letter will include dotted letters that contain the name, production date, as well as the seal of approval.

This can be trickier to spot on smaller slices - so a good thing to look out for is the Parmigiano-Reggiano symbol on the label.

On smaller slices, this can be harder to identify. A good tip is to put the Parmigiano Reggiano symbol on your label.

According to a 2016 study, cheese labeled 100 percent Parmesan in the US had wood.

Some brands might not even include cheese in their products.   

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  processed a report Castle Cheese is being criticized for its sale of ‘Parmesan’ products using cut-rate substitutes such as wood.

FDA suspects that other Parmesan grated suppliers were filling their products with excessive cellulose, a commonly used anti-clumping agent made of wood pulp.

Others added lower-quality cheeses to the mix such as cheddar and Romano.

This is less common in the UK because of higher food standards. However, imitation cheeses are easy to find. 

WHAT TO DO:  Authentic Parmesan comes from fewer than 500 cheese makers.

Real Parmigiano-Reggiano is embossed at the wheel  after inspection and approval by the Consortium.

The cheese will be labelled with dotted letters indicating the name and date of its production as well as the seal of approval from the Consortium.

This can be trickier to spot on smaller slices – so a good thing to look out for is the Parmigiano-Reggiano symbol on the label.