Food Fraud in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Scientific Analysis and Perspectives for Food Security

This dataset accompanies a scientific study on food fraud in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), presenting a detailed analysis of fraudulent practices in commonly consumed food products such as vegetable oils, powdered milk, flours, and spices. The study employs advanced analytical chemistry techniques, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and UV-Visible spectroscopy, alongside microbiological tests and qualitative interviews with stakeholders in Kinshasa. Results identify widespread adulteration, substitution, and label falsification, revealing significant public health and economic risks. The research highlights the urgent need for improved regulatory frameworks, certified analytical laboratories, digital traceability systems, and increased consumer and trader awareness. This record provides the scientific data, analytical results, and socio-economic insights necessary for policy-making and further research in food authenticity and safety in the DRC and similar contexts.