Invisible victimization - health, financial and ethical implications of food fraud

• In Event: Understanding Victimization Across Social, Political, and Structural Contexts

Abstract

Food crime is a global and pervasive problem that harms consumers in many ways. The aim of the presentation is to illustrate which consequences food fraud can have.
Despite the omnipresence of food fraud, criminology and victimology have only recently begun to address the issue. However, little attention has been paid to the impact on those affected. Using various examples of fraud, the financial, health and ethical consequences for those affected are presented and discussed against the background of victimological issues. Of particular relevance here are the UN Human Rights, which explicitly formulate the demand for food that also takes into account non-nutrient-based requirements in ethical or ideological terms. Based on the examples, demands for an adequate visualization of the victims are substantiated. It calls for those affected by serious food fraud to be given help in the form of victims' assistance and for their status as victims to be recognized.

Keywords: food fraud, victim assistance, human rights, recognition of victim status, moral convictions, justice

Author

• Pamela Kerschke-Risch, University of Hamburg