The UK National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) has issued a warning to food businesses following the discovery of adulterated saffron in the UK market. Eurofins Food Testing UK not only provides advanced laboratory analysis but also offers expert consultancy support to help businesses respond effectively to risks such as food fraud, mislabelling, and regulatory breaches.
NFCU saffron fraud alert: key details
According to the NFCU alert (2025/A004), recent UK testing has revealed that
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Some saffron samples have been illegally enhanced with synthetic food colours, in breach of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008
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Other products have been mislabelled with incorrect quality grades (I, II or III), failing to meet ISO-referenced colouring strength criteria determined by Crocin content
The colours identified in the alert include
How Eurofins can support your business
Eurofins offers more than just analytical testing. Our consultants work closely with food businesses to help interpret findings, verify claims, and maintain regulatory compliance.
Our saffron support includes
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Screening for undeclared synthetic colourants listed in the alert
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Crocin content analysis to assess ISO grade validity
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Regulatory advice and risk mitigation strategies
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Review of labelling and product specifications
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Guidance on corrective actions and communication with supply chain partners
Whether you're investigating a potential issue, seeking preventative reassurance, or responding to regulator enquiries, our consultancy team can provide practical, science-led solutions tailored to your product and market.
To learn more about our authentication services, visit our Food Authenticity Testing webpage.
Stay compliant and protect your brand
Premium ingredients like saffron are high-risk targets for fraud. Working with Eurofins Food Testing UK means gaining both laboratory accuracy and expert advice to protect your brand, reputation, and compliance.
If you're concerned about your saffron supply, submit an enquiry or call +44 (0) 845 604 6740.
