Consumer advice center uncovers food fraud

Consumer advice center uncovers food fraud

The consumer advice center recently carried out a study that shows that foods do not always contain what is stated on the labels. This is called “legal consumer deception.” Supermarkets and discounters have been found to use various tricks to mislead consumers. For example, terms such as “vanilla flavor”, pistachios or nuts are often used, even though these ingredients are not actually contained in the product.

The words “vanilla flavor” or similar designations on a label do not necessarily mean that the product actually contains vanilla. Often these are just artificial flavors. Although this practice is not illegal, the Hamburg consumer advice center criticizes it as misleading. Consumers may incorrectly assume that certain ingredients are included that are actually missing from the ingredients list.

The consumer advice center exposed this deception on the labels of many finished products in the supermarket. A well-known example is the “vanilla flavor,” which can be found in a variety of foods. Even popular yogurts or dessert sauces often only contain artificial flavors, even though the packaging suggests the opposite. The use of terms such as “type”, “taste” or “taste” is legally permitted, but often leads to misunderstandings among consumers.

The consumer advice center is therefore calling for these sales practices to be reviewed in order to protect consumers from misleading advertising. The practice of “deceptive packaging”, in which products are reduced in size while the price remains the same in order to disguise a hidden price increase, is also met with criticism. It is in the consumer advice center's interest to ensure transparent labeling and pricing in supermarkets in order to protect consumers from unfair practices.