Counterfeiting in the food and beverage sector is a growing threat in Europe. According to the EUIPO, counterfeit products - from cookies to spirits - are becoming increasingly common, including online, putting the health of consumers and the economies of member countries at risk. The wine sector puts Italy among the most damaged countries. According to EUIPO data, counterfeiting in the wine and spirits sector has caused an estimated economic loss of 302 million euros for our country alone, including lost sales and impacts on employment. At the EU level, counterfeiting costs more than 2 billion euros annually in lost sales and thousands of jobs. The Europol-Interpol OPSON operation seized €91 million worth of fake products in 2024, and many of them are potentially dangerous. “We need the joint efforts of authorities, businesses, and consumers to defend food quality and safety,” said EUIPO Director João Negrao.