It is reportedly easier for criminal groups to make big money by selling adulterated food than to deal in illegal drugs (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/03/crime-gangs-target-food-fraud-draft-eu-report). This is because a) the volume of activity is much higher, b) the level of testing for fraudulent activity is relatively low and c) the penalties after detection are modest. Apparently, criminals are becoming sophisticated in spotting 'a main chance' and tend to focus on areas such as virgin olive oil (the biggest area where adding a little chlorophyll to cheap oil can produce massive profits), organic vegetables, fish, red wine, saffron, milk, vodka, tea, coffee, honey and fruit juice. It is not only that people are cheated of their money, there have actually been deaths from bootleg alcohol and melamine-contaminated baby milk (the melamine contains nitrogen, confusing tests for protein content). Suggestions that people (especially the poor) buy locally and do their own cooking are not realistic on a large scale. I do think that supermarkets and governments need to increase the level and sophistication of testing and that penalties should more realistically reflect the natures of the crimes.
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