Updated 30 April 2025
A food fraud database is a collection of information about food fraud incidents and food fraud risks. There are paid and free databases operated by governments, not-for-profits and private companies. The type of data varies from database to database, as does the cost and the features.
Pay-To-Use Databases
There are a number of pay-to-use food fraud databases. The four best-known commercially operated databases are listed below.
(1) HorizonScan (FERA). This tool was developed by the UK government’s Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA). It includes alert systems and information about food safety, food fraud and suppliers. In the U.S., it is distributed by FoodChain ID. https://horizon-scan.fera.co.uk/
(2) FoodChainID Food Fraud Database (formerly the Decernis Food Fraud Database, which was previously the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) Food Fraud Database). This database includes scholarly articles on testing and detection methods as well as food fraud incidents. https://www.foodchainid.com/products/food-fraud-database/
(3) Agroknow’s FoodAkai uses sophisticated computer modelling to analyse data from global food safety agencies to offer insights into hazards in raw materials, ingredients and products. Like HorizonScan, it includes food safety as well as food fraud issues and incidents. https://agroknow.com/foodakai/
(4) MerieuxNutriSciences’ Safety HUD monitors official agencies and other sources for alerts on food safety and suspected fraud incidents. Safety Hud 2.0 | Food Compliance Solutions (mxns.com)
Costs
There is a notable lack of transparency in the pricing of food fraud databases. Fees to access the databases are usually levied on a subscription basis. The cost varies depending on the number of users and whether you are a consultant, a small food company or a multi-site organisation.
All the databases listed above offer either a free trial or a guided demonstration, so you can compare them to decide which might be best for your company’s needs.
Affiliation
Food Fraud Advisors has no financial relationships with the products or companies listed above, though we do have contacts at each organisation, so if you would like a no-obligation introduction, just ask. We do not earn a commission from such introductions.
Free Databases
(1) Food Fraud Advisors’ Food Fraud Risk Information Database (hosted on Trello) is a free and open-access online database of food fraud incidences and emerging threats, organised by food type. No log-in required. https://trello.com/b/aoFO1UEf/food-fraud-risk-information
(2) FoodSHIELD is a US Government-Academic partnership. Access to the FoodSHIELD food fraud and food defense database is limited to representatives from local, state, and federal governments, the military and laboratories that perform analyses. https://www.foodshield.org
(3) Food Protection and Defense Institute (USA)’s Food Adulteration Incidents Registry. Access by special request only. https://incidents.foodprotection.io/about
(4) Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) is managed by a group of European national food safety authorities and alerts its member states to incidences of food and feed safety and integrity. RASFF publishes a searchable database for investigating incidences of food fraud. To learn more about RASFF click here. For direct access to the database, open the RASFF Portal.
(5) US FDA’s Recalls and Food Safety Alerts, has a searchable database and includes incidents arising from food fraud. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/
(6) MEDISYS for Food Fraud (MEDISYS-FF) is a food fraud media monitoring system that uses information from the Europe Media Monitor to collect media reports related to food fraud. The reports can be filtered by country of origin, keyword and date. You can request access to the system by submitting a form. https://bigdata-wfsr.wur.nl/2020/09/18/medisys-for-food-fraud/
Which Database Should I Use?
What are your needs? Check the headings below to see which best describes your company’s needs for food fraud information.
Low budget and/or need information infrequently
If you have a low budget and don’t need real-time monitoring, use Food Fraud Advisors’ free Food Fraud Risk Information Database.
Custom alerts for specific ingredients or foods
Custom alerts and real-time monitoring is offered by the four paid databases listed at the top of this post.
Food safety and food fraud alerts
HorizonScan, FoodAkai and FoodSafety HUD all include food safety hazards as well as food fraud hazards in their reporting and alert systems.
Analytical test methods information
FoodChainID’s Food Fraud Database includes test method information and research papers.
Large number of users across multiple sites
If you have a high number of users who want to access the database or a very large number of products, HorizonScan, FoodChainID and FoodAkai have enterprise-level subscriptions so users on different sites can set up their own reports and alerts.
Predictions about future hazards
FoodAkai promises early warning of emerging risks, which are predicted using AI technology. The makers of FoodAkai say their software predicted the multi-country, multi-product ethylene oxide in sesame recall disaster of 2020-2021.
Students, occasional needs, non-food professionals
The Food Fraud Information Database hosted on Trello is a great place to start your food fraud journey if you are a student or new to the food industry. It is free and contains summaries of the types of food fraud that affect various foods. However, it is not easily searchable (you can buy a searchable ‘snapshot’ in Excel form) and it does not provide custom alerts. Incidents added to the database are mostly drawn from international media and are heavily weighted to English language media, so are not suitable for accurate counting or mapping of incidents.
Other free information about European and North American foods
RASFF (Europe) and FDA Recalls and Food Safety Alerts (USA) mostly contain food safety incidents, with few food fraud incidents. Much of the data derives from cross-border food movements, especially in RASSF. They are both free and searchable and can be a useful adjunct to the free food fraud database on Trello.