Reining in Adulteration

Economically motivated adulteration (EMA) of food—a form of food fraud involving intentional adulteration for financial gain, such as by addition of or substitution with a lower-value substance or other means—is estimated to cost the food industry $10–$15 billion per year. It has been around since ancient times and can constitute a food safety problem if the adulterants added to a food or beverage is toxic or otherwise causes harm. In the United States, concern about adulterati…