Consumer Alert: Food Fraud - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Consumer Alert: Food Fraud

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  • Heartland News

  • Monday, May 20 2013 11:39 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:39:58 GMT
    When preparing for a job interview, you know you need to dress the part, prepare and practice answering questions.But sometimes what you're not saying could cost you the job.Joyce Hunter said employers often make decisions about job seekers within 30 seconds of meeting them, or even before they shake hands. In addition to body language, you should be sure you're appearance is looking neat, tidy and well-dressed.Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.
    When preparing for a job interview, you know you need to dress the part, prepare and practice answering questions.But sometimes what you're not saying could cost you the job.Joyce Hunter said employers often make decisions about job seekers within 30 seconds of meeting them, or even before they shake hands. In addition to body language, you should be sure you're appearance is looking neat, tidy and well-dressed.Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.
  • Monday, May 20 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:00:58 GMT
    (Source: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)
    About 80 citizens from Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri attended a public meeting tonight to provide input for a study on the US 51 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill.The long-range study is to determine how to best assure the viability of the US 51 crossing that also carries US 60 and US 62 across the Ohio River. A second meeting will be held Tuesday night in LaCenter, KY. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is looking at about a half-dozen alternatives that range from a...
    About 80 citizens from Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri attended a public meeting tonight to provide input for a study on the US 51 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill.The long-range study is to determine how to best assure the viability of the US 51 crossing that also carries US 60 and US 62 across the Ohio River. A second meeting will be held Tuesday night in LaCenter, KY. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is looking at about a half-dozen alternatives that range from a...
  • Monday, May 20 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-05-21 01:50:12 GMT
    Authorities are investigating a shooting death that happened Friday night in Benton, Illinois. 
    Authorities are investigating a shooting death that happened Friday night in Benton, Illinois. 
(WOIO) -

You know to be suspicious of knock off purses and even counterfeit cash but fake food? It's a growing threat in the US, and you could be putting your life in danger.

Finding food fakes is a constant battle for investigators across the world.  

"Consumers are being cheated."

Here in the US, Food and Drug Administration agents are always on the hunt for phony food products and ingredients -- seizing everything from counterfeit olive oil to alleged expensive wine the Feds say is fake.

"We think we're buying a high value or specific type of product and the bad guys have swapped it out with something that's inferior," said Dr. John Spink of Michigan State University. 

The problem is so big that a new national database was recently created to try to track it. The key word here is try because it's hard to catch during production and shipping. And once it makes it to market, consumers don't realize they've been ripped off, unless they get sick.

"Food adulteration is designed to be not detected. So, frequently adulterers do not use fake ingredients that would cause immediate health problems," said Dr. John Spink of Michigan State University.

Report it right away if you suspect food fraud to your local health department.

Copyright 2012 WOIO. All rights reserved.