Australia: Research confirms fraudulent Kakadu plum extracts circulating online and in the international marketplace

During Australia's National Reconciliation Week, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) announced significant research findings in the journal Food Control, revealing widespread fraud in the global market for Kakadu plum extracts. This fraudulent activity undermines the authenticity of this premium product, which is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and is predominantly harvested by Indigenous Australians from northern Australia.

Conducted in collaboration with the Northern Australian Kakadu Plum Alliance (NAAKPA), representing Aboriginal-owned producers, the study used advanced iso-elemental fingerprinting technology to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit Kakadu plum powder samples. The research exposed all 13 overseas-sourced powders as frauds, underscoring the urgent need for science-based traceability solutions to safeguard the integrity and growth of this burgeoning industry. Valued at $1.6 million in 2021, the market for Kakadu plum products is anticipated to triple to $3.5 million by 2025, driven by its health benefits and widespread use in nutraceuticals and cosmetics. This research not only highlights the importance of provenance verification in preventing fraud but also underscores the economic and cultural significance of Kakadu plum for Australia.