Reports on non-compliance with EU food law and agri-food fraud: September 2026
- Feed safety
- Food safety
- Labelling
- Food safety controls
- Official controls
Summary
The European Commission publishes monthly overviews of foods that are not compliant with European Union (EU) food law. The September 2026 report includes notifications concerning the following 15 AGRINFO partner countries: Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Lebanon, Namibia, Nigeria, Syria, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine, Viet Nam.
These monthly overviews highlight ongoing and emerging risks of non-compliance that help agri-food exporters and competent authorities in non-EU countries to identify, monitor, and address risks that may affect trade. These non-compliances are not confirmed fraud cases, but they contribute to alerting and triggering investigations by competent authorities of EU Member States.
15 AGRINFO partner countries were included in the September overview of foods that do not comply with EU food law
European Commission: September 2026 Report on EU Agri-Food Fraud Suspicions
Update
The European Commission publishes monthly overviews of foods that are not compliant with European Union (EU) food law. The September 2026 report includes notifications concerning the following 15 AGRINFO partner countries: Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Lebanon, Namibia, Nigeria, Syria, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine, Viet Nam.
These monthly overviews highlight ongoing and emerging risks of non-compliance that help agri-food exporters and competent authorities in non-EU countries to identify, monitor, and address risks that may affect trade. These non-compliances are not confirmed fraud cases, but they contribute to alerting and triggering investigations by competent authorities of EU Member States.
Impacted Products
Avocado oil, bananas (organic), biscuits, bread mix (gluten-free), Cape hake (Merluccius paradoxus), chicken and pork products, composite products, cumin seeds, eggs, olive oil, food products, food supplements, ghee (cow), halva, herbal mix, honey, honey mustard sauce, instant powder mix for desserts, kitchenware, meat and meat products (other than poultry), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), noodles, palm oil, pangasius fillets (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), prekese (Tetrapleura tetraptera), rice cakes, rice sticks, shrimp tails (Litopenaeus vannamei), snacks, soft drinks, spice mix, sweets, tea, yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
Latest notifications
The September 2026 report includes notifications involving the following 15 AGRINFO partner countries: Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Lebanon, Namibia, Nigeria, Syria, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine, Viet Nam.
These notifications concern:
- product and record tampering (Table 1)
- unauthorised foods, ingredients and origins, and residues not compliant with maximum residue levels (MRLs) (Table 2).
This report should be read in conjunction with RASFF notifications in September 2026. RASFF notifications that relate purely to consumer risk with no suspicion of fraud are not included in this report.
Timeline
These reports are issued every month.
Recommended Actions
Competent authorities in countries that are included in these monthly overviews should pay attention to any non-compliances identified in the reports. It is particularly important that the producers/export companies concerned are informed as soon as possible so that they can take action and prevent a recurrence. These incidents also potentially indicate a more widespread problem that may require a coordinated response by the food sector in the country concerned.
Background
These monthly reports compile information notified to the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed Network (RASFF), Administrative Assistance and Cooperation Network (AAC), and Agri-Food Fraud Network (FFN). The reports also include non-compliances with EU rules that do not present a risk but have triggered investigations by the competent authorities of individual importing EU Member States.
Resources
European Commission:
Regulation 2019/1873 on the procedures at border control posts for a coordinated performance by competent authorities of intensified official controls on products of animal origin, germinal products, animal by-products and composite products
Regulation 2019/1793 on the temporary increase of official controls and emergency measures governing entry into the EU of certain goods from third countries
Sources
European Commission: September 2026 Report on EU Agri-Food Fraud Suspicions
Tables & Figures
Table 1: Product and record tampering
| Origin | Products | Issue | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Snacks | Tartrazine (E 102) | Undeclared enhancement |
| China | Food supplements | Health claims (e-marketed) | Nutrition and health claims |
| Honey | Foreign alpha-amylases (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Aspergillus oryzae) | Adulteration (dilution) | |
| Sweets | Titanium dioxide (E 171) | Unapproved enhancement | |
| Tea | Cetrimonium chloride (3 notifications) | Unapproved enhancement | |
| Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (glazed and deep-frozen) | Misdeclared net weight (weight stated as a range: 400–640 g) | Quantity (net, gross, weight, volume) | |
| Ecuador | Shrimp tails (Litopenaeus vannamei) (frozen) | Sulphites (E 200–E 228) | Not compliant with EU maximum levels |
| India | Cumin seeds | Ethylene oxide | Unapproved enhancement |
| Lebanon | Extra virgin olive oil | Lampante oil | Product-related dates, records, and information |
| Nigeria | Palm oil | Sudan 4 | Unapproved enhancement |
| Syria | Halva | Erythrosine (E 127) | Unapproved enhancement |
| Instant powder mix for dessert | Allura Red AC (E 129), tartrazine (E 102) (undeclared) | Unapproved enhancement | |
| Türkiye | Avocado oil | Self-evident claim “GMO-free”, traceability defects | Product attribute claims |
| Ukraine | Avocado oil (e-marketed) | Fraudulent use of another operator identification, traceability defects | Intellectual property rights |
| Eggs | Eggs’ condition not consistent with their labelled quality grade | Product attribute claims | |
| Honey | Foreign alpha-amylase (Aspergillus oryzae) | Adulteration (dilution) | |
| Viet Nam | Pangasius fillets (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) (frozen) | Irradiation (undeclared) (4 notifications) | Unapproved enhancement |
| Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) (frozen) | Sodium nitrite (E 250) (2 notifications) | Unapproved enhancement |
Source: based on September 2026 Report on EU Agri-Food Fraud Suspicions
Table 2: Unauthorised foods, ingredients, origins, and residues not compliant with maximum residue levels
| Origin | Products | Issue | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Bread mix (gluten-free) | Milk ingredient, attempt to import illegally | Smuggling |
| China | Biscuits | Milk ingredient, illegal import | Smuggling |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Ibutamoren | Not authorised in EU | |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Kava kava (Piper methysticum) | Not authorised in EU | |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Pancreatin | Not authorised in EU | |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Yohimbine hydrochloride | Not authorised in EU | |
| Kitchenware | Bamboo fibres | Food contact materials – additives not authorised in EU | |
| Meat and products (other than poultry), composite products | Attempt to import illegally | Smuggling | |
| Nile tilapia fillets (Oreochromis niloticus) (frozen) | Crystal Violet | Not compliant with EU MRLs (veterinary medicinal residues) | |
| Noodles | Label vs documentation mismatch | Other (implicit claim violations) | |
| Rice cakes, rice sticks | GMO (p35S, tNOS, Cry1Ab/Ac) (3 notifications) | Not authorised in EU | |
| Tea | Attempt to import illegally | Smuggling | |
| Ecuador | Bananas (organic) | Chlorpyrifos | Residue of pesticide(s) not approved for use in EU |
| Egypt | Honey mustard sauce | Honey, illegal import | Smuggling |
| Ghana | Prekese (Tetrapleura tetraptera) (dried) | Not authorised for use as food in the EU | Not authorised in EU |
| India | Calcium saccharate | Unauthorised additive | Not authorised in EU |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Pancreatin, kava kava (Piper methysticum), Mucuna pruriens | Not authorised in EU | |
| Ghee (cow) | Illegal import | Smuggling | |
| Lebanon | Spice mix | Unauthorised operator, irradiation (undeclared) | Unauthorised origin |
| Namibia | Cape hake (Merluccius paradoxus) (frozen) | Transport temperature (up to –11°C) | Others (poor temperature control) |
| Thailand | Chicken and pork products | Illegal import | Smuggling |
| Ukraine | Herbal mix | Angelica archangelica, Potentilla erecta, Viburnum opulus, Cornus mas, Hierochloe odorata, Carlina acaulis, Tilia spp., Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Acorus calamus | Not authorised in EU |
| Viet Nam | Soft drinks | Basil seeds | Not authorised in EU |
Source: based on September 2026 Report on EU Agri-Food Fraud Suspicions
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
15 AGRINFO partner countries were included in the September overview of foods that do not comply with EU food law
European Commission: September 2026 Report on EU Agri-Food Fraud Suspicions
Latest notifications
The European Commission publishes monthly overviews of foods that do not comply with European Union (EU) food law, including potentially fraudulent practices that are identified and reported by EU Member State authorities.
The September 2026 report includes notifications involving the following 15 AGRINFO partner countries: Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, India, Lebanon, Namibia, Nigeria, Syria, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine, Viet Nam.
These notifications concern:
- product and record tampering (Table 1)
- unauthorised foods, ingredients and origins, and residues not compliant with maximum residue levels (MRLs) (Table 2).
The European Commission compiles these overviews of non-compliance based on information from the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed Network (RASFF), Administrative Assistance and Cooperation Network (AAC), and Agri-Food Fraud Network (FFN). These monthly overviews help agri-food exporters and competent authorities in non-EU countries to monitor and address risks that may affect trade. The reports also include non-compliances with EU rules that do not present a risk but have triggered investigations by the competent authorities of individual importing EU Member States.
This report should be read in conjunction with RASFF notifications in September 2026. RASFF notifications that relate purely to consumer risk with no suspicion of fraud are not included in this report.
Actions
Competent authorities in countries that are included in these monthly overviews should pay attention to any non-compliances identified in the reports. It is particularly important that the producers/export companies concerned are informed as soon as possible so that they can take action and prevent a recurrence. These incidents also potentially indicate a more widespread problem that may require a coordinated response by the food sector in the country concerned.
Timeline
These reports are issued every month.
Tables & Figures
Table 1: Product and record tampering
| Origin | Products | Issue | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Snacks | Tartrazine (E 102) | Undeclared enhancement |
| China | Food supplements | Health claims (e-marketed) | Nutrition and health claims |
| Honey | Foreign alpha-amylases (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Aspergillus oryzae) | Adulteration (dilution) | |
| Sweets | Titanium dioxide (E 171) | Unapproved enhancement | |
| Tea | Cetrimonium chloride (3 notifications) | Unapproved enhancement | |
| Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (glazed and deep-frozen) | Misdeclared net weight (weight stated as a range: 400–640 g) | Quantity (net, gross, weight, volume) | |
| Ecuador | Shrimp tails (Litopenaeus vannamei) (frozen) | Sulphites (E 200–E 228) | Not compliant with EU maximum levels |
| India | Cumin seeds | Ethylene oxide | Unapproved enhancement |
| Lebanon | Extra virgin olive oil | Lampante oil | Product-related dates, records, and information |
| Nigeria | Palm oil | Sudan 4 | Unapproved enhancement |
| Syria | Halva | Erythrosine (E 127) | Unapproved enhancement |
| Instant powder mix for dessert | Allura Red AC (E 129), tartrazine (E 102) (undeclared) | Unapproved enhancement | |
| Türkiye | Avocado oil | Self-evident claim “GMO-free”, traceability defects | Product attribute claims |
| Ukraine | Avocado oil (e-marketed) | Fraudulent use of another operator identification, traceability defects | Intellectual property rights |
| Eggs | Eggs’ condition not consistent with their labelled quality grade | Product attribute claims | |
| Honey | Foreign alpha-amylase (Aspergillus oryzae) | Adulteration (dilution) | |
| Viet Nam | Pangasius fillets (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) (frozen) | Irradiation (undeclared) (4 notifications) | Unapproved enhancement |
| Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) (frozen) | Sodium nitrite (E 250) (2 notifications) | Unapproved enhancement |
Source: based on September 2026 Report on EU Agri-Food Fraud Suspicions
Table 2: Unauthorised foods, ingredients, origins, and residues not compliant with maximum residue levels
| Origin | Products | Issue | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Bread mix (gluten-free) | Milk ingredient, attempt to import illegally | Smuggling |
| China | Biscuits | Milk ingredient, illegal import | Smuggling |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Ibutamoren | Not authorised in EU | |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Kava kava (Piper methysticum) | Not authorised in EU | |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Pancreatin | Not authorised in EU | |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Yohimbine hydrochloride | Not authorised in EU | |
| Kitchenware | Bamboo fibres | Food contact materials – additives not authorised in EU | |
| Meat and products (other than poultry), composite products | Attempt to import illegally | Smuggling | |
| Nile tilapia fillets (Oreochromis niloticus) (frozen) | Crystal Violet | Not compliant with EU MRLs (veterinary medicinal residues) | |
| Noodles | Label vs documentation mismatch | Other (implicit claim violations) | |
| Rice cakes, rice sticks | GMO (p35S, tNOS, Cry1Ab/Ac) (3 notifications) | Not authorised in EU | |
| Tea | Attempt to import illegally | Smuggling | |
| Ecuador | Bananas (organic) | Chlorpyrifos | Residue of pesticide(s) not approved for use in EU |
| Egypt | Honey mustard sauce | Honey, illegal import | Smuggling |
| Ghana | Prekese (Tetrapleura tetraptera) (dried) | Not authorised for use as food in the EU | Not authorised in EU |
| India | Calcium saccharate | Unauthorised additive | Not authorised in EU |
| Food supplements (e-marketed) | Pancreatin, kava kava (Piper methysticum), Mucuna pruriens | Not authorised in EU | |
| Ghee (cow) | Illegal import | Smuggling | |
| Lebanon | Spice mix | Unauthorised operator, irradiation (undeclared) | Unauthorised origin |
| Namibia | Cape hake (Merluccius paradoxus) (frozen) | Transport temperature (up to –11°C) | Others (poor temperature control) |
| Thailand | Chicken and pork products | Illegal import | Smuggling |
| Ukraine | Herbal mix | Angelica archangelica, Potentilla erecta, Viburnum opulus, Cornus mas, Hierochloe odorata, Carlina acaulis, Tilia spp., Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Acorus calamus | Not authorised in EU |
| Viet Nam | Soft drinks | Basil seeds | Not authorised in EU |
Source: based on September 2026 Report on EU Agri-Food Fraud Suspicions
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.