First published 2016
Food journalist Larry Olmsted investigates the rampant counterfeiting that plagues American food systems. From Parmesan cheese mixed with wood pulp to lobster rolls without actual lobster, fraudulent products fill supermarket shelves and restaurant kitchens. Olmsted documents how this deception spans expensive items like olive oil, wine, and Kobe beef alongside everyday products including coffee, honey, juice, and cheese. The author travels to authentic sources worldwide, visiting Italian producers of genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano, Florida fishermen catching real grouper, and Portuguese makers of true port wine. He shows readers how to identify legitimate products crafted by skilled artisans who follow traditional methods. The book serves as both warning and guide, teaching consumers to recognize quality ingredients while exposing the unregulated industry that enables widespread food fraud. Olmsted provides practical knowledge for shoppers seeking authentic products worth their money.
Genres: non-fiction, investigative-journalism, food, food-writing
Vibes: eye-opening, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: expos, investigative-reporting
Setting: Italy, Florida, Portugal
318 pages · Hardcover · Algonquin Books