Top 5 Food Industry Ransomware Attacks + The Dangers of Food Fraud

Ransomware attacks targeting the food industry have become increasingly prevalent and damaging over the past few years. Between 2018 and May 2023, there have been 157 confirmed ransomware attacks on the food, beverage and agriculture industries. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about the top five most significant ransomware attacks on the food industry that caused severe disruptions and significant financial losses. The list includes the Campari Group ($15 million ransom demanded), JBS Foods ($11 million ransom paid), Harvest Food Distributors and Sherwood Food Distributors ($7.5 million ransom demanded), NEW Cooperative, Inc. ($5.9 million ransom demanded) and Schreiber Foods ($2.5 million ransom demanded). There are many other instances of ransomware attacks on the food industry that have caused significant damages, including the attack on Dole PLC in February 2023. The team talks about the broader consequences of ransomware attacks, the hackers behind them and how cybersecurity laws are falling short.

Also in this episode, Sydney talks about food fraud, which refers to deliberate actions taken to deceive consumers for financial gain by misrepresenting the quality and composition of food products. The illicit practice of selling counterfeit food has become an extremely profitable illegal industry worldwide, generating around $40 billion annually. Sydney explains the seven types of food fraud, including dilution, mislabeling, unapproved enhancement, substitution, concealment, counterfeiting and gray market production/theft/diversion. Food fraud can not only have detrimental effects on consumers’ health but can also cause economic harm to companies and consumers. Addressing these harms requires collective efforts from regulatory authorities, industry stakeholders and consumers. The team members each give examples of cases of food fraud and discuss whether most cases of the illicit practice are voluntary, as well as who is to blame.

Read the full article here:

Top 5 Ransomware Attacks that Shook the Food Industry

Food Fraud: Urgent Measures Needed to Safeguard Global Food Supply

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