Vanilla products: the results of the DGCCRF investigation
In 2019, the vanilla market was facing a significant risk of fraud due to the decline in quality and the sharp increase in prices (poor harvests, increased global demand). Therefore, the DGCCRF conducted an investigation to control the composition and labeling of vanilla products (beans, extracts, flavours) and flavoured foods.
Survey target : all operators in the sector (producers, importers, distributors, traders and agri-food companies).
Results : 1 out of 4 establishments does not comply with the regulations and 4 types of non-compliance have been identified :
- Substitution of vanilla products (such as whole beans) with inferior products (spent beans, vanilla extracts made of water and artificial flavouring);
- Intensifying the taste, smell and appearance of vanilla by dipping the beans in a vanilla flavouring;
- The reproduction of vanilla flavor by adding biotech-derived vanillin in significant proportion to the vanillin from the vanilla beans;
- Standardization of the color of vanilla flavors with caramel as a colorant.
In light of these results, the DGCCRF intends to continue monitoring this ingredient.
Our Eurofins Authenticity Competence Centre offers you advanced analytical techniques to detect non-conforming products in order to protect your customers and consumers. Our teams can assist you on :
- Control of the authenticity and concentration of vanilla flavour compounds in the following products: beans, extracts and oleoresins, vanilla flavourings, pure vanillin and flavoured finished products
- Identification of the source of vanillin on vanilla sugars and other flavouring ingredients (extracts, flavours, etc.)
- Confirmation of the declared geographical origin, in particular for vanilla from Madagascar and the other islands of the Indian Ocean, known as "Bourbon".
→ More information about our solutions to preserve the integrity of your flavours (including essential oils) and the DGCCRF control plan report here
