A total of 13% of fake goods detained by EU custom authorities last year were in the foodstuff category – fake food and drink imports.

The number of fake food products detained increased by over 50% on 2015 levels, according to the Commission.

In Ireland, the number of cases and the number of articles detained in 2016 decreased on 2015 levels.

There was 2,778 cases of fake goods in Ireland last year, a decrease of 7%. A breakdown of how many of these cases were fake food products was not available.

The number of articles detained was down 29% to 12,816.

Some 94% of fake food products seized at EU border originated from China, the data shows.

Overall figures

The goods had a total value of over €670m.

Everyday products which are potentially dangerous to health and safety – such as food and drink, medicines, toys and household electrical goods – accounted for over a third of all intercepted goods.

Pierre Moscovici, commissioner for economic and financial affairs, taxation and customs, said: “Fake goods pose a real threat to health and safety of EU consumers and also undermine legal businesses and state revenues.

“Studies show that the EU is particularly exposed to imports of counterfeit products.”

Cigarettes were the top category (24%) for articles detained and toys the second largest group (17%), followed by foodstuffs (13%) and packaging material (12%).

China remains the clear leader when it comes to the provenance of fake goods: 80% of articles arrived from China in 2016.

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