Discover an interactive resource that maps reported food fraud incidents, supports evidence-informed policy and links to collaborative research like the Watson project
The Food Fraud Incidents Application is an interactive tool designed to make complex incident data accessible to policymakers, researchers and practitioners. Built around the concept of mobilising knowledge to inform action, the platform brings together entries from monthly food fraud reports and presents them through an intuitive visualisation layer.
By turning lists and spreadsheets into searchable maps and charts, the application helps users identify patterns and hotspots more quickly, supporting evidence-based decision making across European food systems. This introduction explains what the application contains, how to access it, and why it matters for anyone interested in the integrity of food supply chains.
At its core the application archives every reported incident featured in the monthly summaries published since 2016 and allows users to filter content by a range of criteria. The system was developed in support of the Watson project and is maintained as part of the broader Knowledge4Policy ecosystem.
The interface is updated periodically with new entries and metadata; the visualisation page includes a record noting last updated: 11 Feb 2026 so users can verify currency. Throughout the site, the emphasis is on clarity: each record links back to its source report and provides structured fields that make comparative analysis possible.
What the application offers
The application provides a collection of features intended to streamline exploration and analysis. Users can apply filters for commodity, region, type of fraud, and year, enabling focused queries that remove irrelevant noise. Each incident entry includes standardised fields so that statistics and trends can be aggregated reliably; the platform supports both summary views and detailed drill-downs. For people who prefer visual summaries, the dashboard converts the underlying dataset into charts and maps that highlight frequency, geographic distribution and commodity concentration. These elements are designed to support fast, practical insights for those responsible for surveillance, enforcement or risk assessment.
Data structure and definitions
To ensure consistent interpretation the database uses defined terms and controlled vocabularies: every food fraud incident record follows the same template with fields for source, affected commodity, fraud modality and jurisdiction. Where appropriate the platform highlights evidence elements such as laboratory confirmations or official recalls, helping users separate confirmed events from allegations or investigations. The use of standardised entries improves comparability across time and space and facilitates export for external analysis. The combination of structured metadata and the visual layer makes it easier to spot recurring vulnerabilities within specific supply chains.
Access, registration and contributor processes
Access to interactive features and contribution tools is organised through a common authentication flow. When you choose to log in you will be redirected to the EU Login page where you can sign in or register as a user. After successful authentication your basic credentials (first name, last name, username, email) are recorded into a Knowledge4Policy profile, which unlocks participation in the different communities and allows contributors to suggest updates or flag incidents. Help resources and guidance are available on the site to assist newcomers with registration and the recommended data-entry processes.
Privacy, terms and contributor support
The platform is transparent about legal and privacy safeguards: links to privacy statements and terms and conditions appear at the login gateway and throughout the site so that contributors and users understand how data are managed. Contributors are asked to respect sourcing requirements and to provide references for entries; the moderation workflow ensures that additions are reviewed before they appear in the public dataset. Support channels are in place for technical questions and for advice on interpreting entries, making the application a supported environment for collaborative data curation.
Technical context and collaboration
Technically, the application combines a structured incident repository with interactive visualisation components and export capabilities that suit research and policy uses. It was created to support the Watson project and aligns with the mission to mobilise people and resources to create, curate and make sense of knowledge for policymaking across Europe. By linking monthly reporting, standardised metadata and authentication through a common platform, the tool fosters collaborative analysis and helps stakeholders build a shared situational awareness about food integrity risks across jurisdictions and commodities.
Whether you are a regulator, academic or industry analyst, the Food Fraud Incidents Application is designed to turn scattered reports into actionable insight. The portal’s combination of searchable incident records, visual analysis and clear sourcing makes it straightforward to monitor trends, identify priorities and support targeted interventions. Users are encouraged to explore the filters and dashboards, consult the documentation, and if appropriate register via EU Login to contribute or save customised views for ongoing work.
