A brand owner whose Dubai-style chocolates were faked by fraudsters has published pictures of real and counterfeit packages for consumers, so they can distinguish between real and counterfeit versions of their popular confectionery.
The counterfeit version failed to carry the correct allergen warnings about the presence of nuts.
The counterfeits were one of three brands of Dubai-style chocolate that were recalled in the United Kingdom in August due to the presence of undeclared peanuts, almonds, cashews, and walnuts.
At the time of the recall, the brand owner told news outlets that the affected products had not been manufactured by them or with their authorisation, saying the allergen-containing bars were counterfeits, made to mimic their products. Retailers had received the products from a mysterious trading company that was uncontactable at the time of the recall.
The company, Le Damas, told The National “We are aware of reports of potential counterfeit products being investigated by the UK Food Standards Agency and are co-operating fully with the authorities,” and said it takes “the quality, safety and authenticity of our chocolates very seriously”, and that its products are made “under strict quality controls and comply with international food safety standards”.
Read more on the suspected counterfeiting in the Dubai chocolate article in Issue 204 of The Rotten Apple.
This article was originally published at The Rotten Apple – a weekly newsletter for food professionals