Food fraud concerning the geographical origin of hazelnuts intended for consumption is a problem that damages the agri-food sector and generates economic losses and consumer distrust. With a world production of around 590,000 tonnes per year, prices vary greatly according to origin, and fraud is particularly detrimental to local products with a protected designation or geographical indication (PDO and PGI). There is still no official analytical methodology to authenticate the origin of hazelnuts, and official controls — based on documentary traceability — are insufficient to prevent fraud.

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