Bootleg copy of The Dark Knight that turned out to actually be a videotaped version of The Notebook. Check. Knockoff Nike Air Force One sneakers. Check. Counterfeit freshly caught Alaskan wild salmon... Wait. What?
Apparently vendors at my local farmer's market (where they also sell DVDs; don't ask) and my hook-up in New York aren't the only ones trying to satisfy customers with cheap knockoffs of real deal consumer items. The only difference is that food providers and their fake fish aren't selling their products on the cheap. The name is the same, as is the price, but what you get isn't what you think you're paying for.
The list of commonly counterfeited food products includes olive oil, vanilla, honey and maple syrup; all essential to the makeup of a healthy college student's diet. But while these may seem like trivial foods to counterfeit, the concept is just gross. I mean, why?!?! It's difficult enough going food shopping as it is, trying to choose between the real Frosted Flakes and the fo-Frosted Flakes, but now I have to ask "Are these flakes even flakes?!?!"
Perhaps it's not that big of deal and I'm just blowing this out of proportion. True, I'd hate to be paying substantially more money for fake wild salmon than actual wild salmon, but what it all comes down to is flavor. And while I do consider myself to be a food connoisseur, I have yet to taste a difference.
But, having heard about this possibility of eating counterfeit food, I'll definitely keep my taste buds alert. Or maybe I'll just cut out the middle man and buy my Alaskan salmon from a reliable source.
Brrrrrrrrrandon