WHAT IS FOOD TAMPERING?

Product tampering, and specifically food tampering, is the act of intentionally altering a product, its content, container, label, or its safety, without authority to do so.
Fortunately, food tampering incidents are rare. Nevertheless, consumers are encouraged to be vigilant and familiarize themselves with all aspects of food safety, including food tampering.

WHY ARE THERE INCIDENTS OF FOOD TAMPERING?

Food tampering can originate from any number of possible sources and may, at times, appear to be accidental. Often, the motive is unclear but may be related to:

• extortion for personal gain
• labour-management problems
• an attempt to draw attention to a “cause” by obtaining free publicity
• revenge, by causing financial damage or discredit to an organization through lost sales or damaged reputation
• mischief
• reasons known only to the perpetrator
• possible terrorist act

Despite government and industry systems that are in place to monitor product security, a product may still be altered or contaminated at any point in the food supply chain from farm, processing, storage, warehousing, transit, retail, all the way to the consumer.

While government and the food industry have many important checks and balances in place to contribute to food safety and quality, the consumer also plays an increasingly important role in helping to ensure food supply is safe. By personally inspecting food products prior to use, the consumer becomes an important component of integrated food safety system.

How to detect product tampering at the grocery store . . .

• Carefully examine all food product packaging. Be aware of the normal appearance of food containers. That way you'll be more likely to notice if an outer seal or wrapper is missing. Compare a suspect container with others on the shelf.
• Check any anti-tampering devices on packaging. Make sure the plastic seal around the outside of a container is intact or that the safety button on the lid of a jar is down.
• Don't purchase products if the packaging is open, torn, or damaged. This includes products on the shelf or in the refrigerator or freezer sections of the grocery store.
• Don't buy products that are damaged or that look unusual. For example, never purchase canned goods that are leaking or that bulge at the ends. Likewise for products that appear to have been thawed and then refrozen.
• Check the "sell-by" dates printed on some products, and only buy items within that time frame.

How to detect product tampering at home . . .

• When opening a container, carefully inspect the product. Don't use products that are discolored, moldy, have an off odor, or that spurt liquid or foam when the container is opened.
• Never eat food from products that are damaged or that look unusual. For example, cans that are leaking or that bulge at the ends.

• STOP: Do not consume the product.
• Seek medical attention if anyone becomes injured or sick.
• DO NOT HANDLE THE FOOD unnecessarily and DON’T THROW IT OUT.
• Place the suspected product in a plastic bag or a sealable container (even if it is already chewed, half-eaten, partially-cooked, etc.).
• Label the saved material clearly with the date of purchase or consumption. Include warning information such as, “Do not eat.”
• Keep the suspicious container/packaging and any labelling information.
• Keep any unopened containers of similar product, but do not open.
• Write down any information or details you may remember about the product, such as where and when it was purchased.
• Keep the product separate from your regular food supply and away from family members.
• Don’t give it to pets or livestock.

• Investigate suspicious activity immediately. Collect as much information as you can. Remove the suspect food from service.
• Notify local law enforcement if you suspect food tampering. Also call your local health department.
• Keep the food for evidence. Do not handle the food. Wrap it in plastic, or place it in a plastic bag. Label the item clearly, and separate it from your regular supplies.

Contact your local health department for more information

References
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/tipcon/tamalte.shtml
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fstamper.html

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