fiin launches free resource hub to help small businesses combat food fraud

The Food Industry Intelligence Network (fiin) has launched a resource hub to help small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) identify and manage potential food fraud risks within their supply chains.

This landmark initiative comes in response to long-standing calls across the food system for tailored support to help SMEs navigate the growing complexity of global supply chains and strengthen their defences against food fraud. Historically, smaller businesses have struggled to access the same level of intelligence and resources available to larger companies.

The new SME Hub provides free access to essential supply chain insights from fiin’s member network, alongside free food fraud tools and resources. The hub has been specifically developed to meet the needs of businesses who may have limited financial or technical capacity, ensuring they are not left behind in the fight against food crime.

“The hub provides practical, no-cost support to organisations that may not be in a position to meet the commitments of fiin membership,” explains Dean Holroyd, fiin board member. 
“SMEs play a vital role in the UK’s food and drink economy, but they often face disproportionate challenges when it comes to managing food fraud risks.“This hub is about levelling the playing field and sharing high-level insights and practical tools, so even the smallest companies can build stronger fraud prevention systems,” adds Mr Holroyd.

A central feature of the hub is fiin’s Commodity Watchlist – a regularly updated list of food categories flagged for increased scrutiny. This list is shaped by quarterly reviews of aggregated, anonymised data from fiin members and analysed by fiin’s Technical Steering Group (TSG) – a panel of cross-category industry experts. These quarterly insights are further enriched by external market intelligence, including harvest conditions, supply and demand shifts, and geopolitical developments. Mr Holroyd says: “The Commodity Watchlist can help SMEs to be more challenging and ask more searching questions of their supply base, enabling them to make smarter, risk-based decisions about their supply chains.”

The launch of the SME hub is a significant step forward in making food fraud intelligence more accessible and actionable across the entire food supply network. Mr Holroyd adds: “The need to better equip SMEs against food integrity risks has been clear. “This hub is our response, delivering accessible, practical support that not only empowers individual businesses but also reinforces the integrity of the entire food system.”