An expensive, in-demand product is susceptible to counterfeiting. Italian coffee Lavazza (in common parlance - “Lavazza”) is precisely expensive with good consumer demand. They are found as good fakes, in which they simply replaced them with cheaper coffee beans. So are crude counterfeits, where flavoring additives are added to ground coffee, mixed with flour, etc.
Coffee beans can only be counterfeited by substituting lower-grade beans. But there is a risk of ruining the coffee machine. The beans may contain fossilized grains and other solid particles, which can cause the coffee machine to break down.
There are small distinctive features of the original coffee, knowing which you can identify a fake.
Errors in the text
Before purchasing, it would be a good idea to study the packaging of the original product on the website. The manufacturer changes the packaging every two or three years. Manufacturers of counterfeits do not have time to change counterfeit packaging, and in a hurry they make mistakes in the texts. The following errors are known:
- There is an error in the name of the site - on the fake there is the site Lawazza.com, in the original Lavazza.com.
An error in the name of a site is a clear sign of a fake. - There is no dot in the weight indication on the front side of the coffee packaging - on the fake NET WET. 2 2 lb, on the original NET WET. 2.2 lb.
A small omission from counterfeit manufacturers is the lack of a dot.
General requirements for original Lavazza coffee packaging
European standards for labeling transport packaging must contain certain data. It must be indicated:
- name of food product;
- quantity of food products (weight);
- date and time of manufacture;
- batch number for identification;
- storage conditions, shelf life;
- name and address of the manufacturer.
The original packaging must be of high quality. Regarding the contents, everything is evenly distributed throughout the pack. If it is ground coffee, it is vacuum packed.
Exact production and packaging time
An important difference between the original and the fake is the exact time of production and packaging. If there is no such data, then this is not a real Lavazza. In addition, if you pay attention to several packs, the difference between them can be several minutes.
Errors in the text
A world-famous company, a brand that everyone knows, will not produce coffee with errors on the packaging. This is simply not acceptable. Therefore, scammers may not monitor the text and, accordingly, the quality.
Bold font allows what is written to be read clearly. The text is written smoothly and neatly.
Valve
A check valve with a slot is present on packaging with a capacity of 250 g and 500 g. and 1 kg. It is often so soldered that it is slightly uneven.
On the old style packs (which are still sold) with one slot above the center. There are packs with two slits, and they are on the side. The updated packages have 4 round holes. If you press down on the valve, letters may appear.
Additional Information! The valve is used to allow the carbon dioxide released by the grains to pass through. Oxygen does not pass back.
Fold lines on packaging
No fold lines are allowed on the packaging. No delamination or creases, especially at the ends. The material is smooth and only has a slightly wavy solder from the factory. The soldering area is made very neatly and evenly on the machine.
Importer sticker
If information about the importer is written, it is on an additional sticker (fraudsters most often forget to stick it on). All the requirements for it are the same as for the manufacturer. This includes information about the name of the product, weight, batch number, storage conditions, expiration date, name and address of the importer.
Naturally, such a sticker is the easiest to fake. But you should only pay attention to it if you need the production date of the coffee. The reason is that, according to European standards, the deadline for using the product is indicated.
Good coffee is always valued for its taste and aroma. A careful examination of the packaging will tell you whether the product is a fake or not. Therefore, it is important to be careful to avoid deception and buy only a quality product from a trusted place.
Valve
The original packaging must have a ventilation valve. Manufacturers of counterfeits do the same - they insert a valve into their counterfeits. There is one nuance that allows you to identify a fake - the inscription on the original valve.
Lightly press the package over the flap and move your fingernail. The real coffee packaging will show the inscription of the valve manufacturer - GOGLIO LUIGI MILANO:
In the green square is a valve cut out from the original packaging. What is the valve on a pack of coffee for?
The valve prolongs the taste of coffee. The valve is one-way, designed to release excess gases from the coffee to the outside of the package. In the opposite direction, the valve does not allow air to pass through, so that the oil on the coffee beans does not oxidize.
Fold lines on packaging
Lavazza coffee is roasted and packaged in the same facility. The process is automated. The coffee is packed by a robot into packaging that has just been produced. This nuance makes it possible to identify counterfeits that are packaged by people whose packaging is produced elsewhere.
Packaging for counterfeits is made elsewhere. During transportation, the packaging wrinkles. While the package is lying, it is deformed - the bend area receives a visible stripe even after the package is filled.
- Folds on the sides of the packaging give away the fake.
- The original packaging of coffee is flat.
This is clearly visible in the photo comparison of the fake and original Lavazza ORO coffee:
Importer sticker
For coffee that is officially imported, a sticker in Russian is required. The sticker contains information about the product, manufacturer, importer, addresses, telephone numbers, etc.:
The presence of a sticker is a sign of originality.
This rule does not apply to coffee imported through “gray” channels or purchased abroad.
How to distinguish a fake lavazza oro - recommendations
The presence of counterfeit products in the modern consumer market has not surprised anyone for a long time. Most often, expensive goods that are most in demand among buyers are counterfeited.
Italian coffee, which is produced under the Lavazza brand, also has doubles. Recently, this company has increasingly received reports of the discovery of new counterfeit variants. That is why the manufacturer never stops looking for effective ways to combat fraudsters. Company representatives tell you how to protect yourself from buying counterfeit goods. Today, before buying Lavazza Oro coffee 1000 g beans with free delivery, you first of all need to understand the price category of the product, the average price for 2021 in the Russian Federation cannot be lower than 1000 rubles, and this is taking into account all promotions and discounts. As for the price of such an item as ground coffee lavazza qualita oro 250 grams with delivery, it cannot be cheaper than 300 rubles for a tin can or 280 rubles for a vacuum pack.
How to recognize a store that sells counterfeit?
In all stories involving the distribution of counterfeit products, there are two main characters: the manufacturer of the surrogate and its seller. The sale of counterfeit goods is usually carried out by small companies that want to make quick money and buy at a low supply price.
Signs by which you can determine that a store is trying to sell you a counterfeit product:
- You cannot pay by bank transfer in the store.
- The seller does not provide a cash receipt for the first purchase.
- The company has a limited number of employees.
- Limited assortment, usually counterfeited in 1 kg packs.
- Take the time and read reviews about the company on the Internet.
If you cannot pay by card in a store, it means that this institution does not have its own bank account. Such companies definitely fall into the unreliable category. In other words, will a company that produces truly genuine and high-quality products supply goods to a distributor who literally works “on his knees”? Obviously, in most cases the answer to this question will be negative.
A new question is looming: where will a small and unsuccessful store purchase goods? Either from an intermediary, cooperation with whom will cost a pretty penny, or from scammers who produce cheap and accessible counterfeits.
Based on the above, experts in sales and purchasing of products advise asking the retailer for a bank account before purchasing coffee. If your request is not satisfied or the store representative refers to temporary difficulties with the cashless payment system, he is probably selling a fake.
A receipt is the main evidence that the store has a cash register, a bank account and registration with the tax authority. Such a company complies with the law, which means it does not sell counterfeits.
The number of employees in any institution indicates its prestige. Every self-respecting company will not keep the same person in several positions. For example, a salesperson cannot be both a manager and a cleaner in one person. A simple product distributor cannot accept goods from a distributor, otherwise what kind of professionalism and high-quality performance of his duties can we talk about?..
Original and fake Lavazza packaging: what are the main differences?
Fraudsters are constantly improving their products and doing everything to make them look identical to the original. Therefore, there is no point in considering a counterfeit and using its example to highlight obvious signs by which a fake can be identified. You need to look at the original packaging in detail and compare it with what you see in the store.
The official coffee manufacturer does everything to ensure that the packaging of its product has an original and unique design. Thus, in the summer of this year, Lavazza once again refreshed the design of its containers for those types of coffee that are most often counterfeited: Crema e Aroma, Rossa and more.
At the moment, not every consumer will be able to see the implemented changes in packaging design. There are still a lot of unsold products on the market, packaged in outdated packaging. However, coffee under the name ORO is already actively distributed in containers with a new design. Main features of the updated design:
- the front side of the package is decorated with a double horizontal line (red on top, black on bottom);
- the main color of the packaging has become darker;
- among the text placed on the pack, a column appeared about the taste and strength of the product;
- the degree of roasting was removed;
- information appeared presented in Russian;
- changed the logo with the brand name;
- Cooking options are now indicated with updated pictures.
General requirements for original Lavazza coffee:
- the product must be packaged in high-quality containers;
- the pack should not be half empty, its contents should be evenly distributed throughout the entire volume of the container;
- information on the packaging is indicated in bold and clear font and in accordance with the customs and Technical regulations of Russia;
- All images and backgrounds are in bright colors.
There should be no separation or folds around the perimeter of the packaging. All seams are mechanically taped.
According to the law of the Russian Federation, the following data must be indicated on coffee packaging:
- the product's name;
- manufacturer and his contact details;
- coffee weight;
- the date and time the product was manufactured;
- Batch number;
- conditions under which coffee must be stored;
- best before date.
All of the above information is indicated by the importing company not on the original coffee packaging, but on an additional sticker. This is due to the fact that European regulations are much simpler than domestic ones. Foreign legislation requires that such products only indicate the production time and expiration date.
What do the statistics say? Most often, large packages of coffee weighing 1 kg are counterfeited.
We identify counterfeit goods by the contents of the pack - the color and aroma of the beans matters
It is not always possible to distinguish fake coffee from the original based on external data, but the internal contents of the pack will not deceive you. High-quality coffee always has a persistent and pleasant aroma, which you can feel immediately as soon as you open the product package.
Lavazza beans are characterized by uniform roasting and a uniform brown-chocolate color. A counterfeit product is characterized by uneven color; each grain may have a different shade than the previous one. The counterfeit has poorer taste compared to the original.
When brewing coffee, you will not see a lot of foam. There may be an earthy taste due to the fact that, along with selected beans, the counterfeit packet may contain robusta - low-quality coffee beans.
To summarize, it should be said that to purchase high-quality original Lavazza coffee, you must contact only a trusted distributor.
— importer to Eastern European countries 8(812) 319-44-15 — distribution and retail sales 8(495) 971-87-88, top-cooler.ru. OGRN 1117847362500
Production date stamp
- The stamp of production date, expiration date, batch number and time on the original coffee is applied in a different font than the rest of the text on the packaging. The stamp is applied during packaging with paint that can be washed off (rubbed vigorously with fingers, nails, water, etc.).
The code is erased.
- On counterfeit coffee packages, the stamp is applied simultaneously with the main seal. Often has the same font, size, thickness. It does not wash off if you rub it with water, nails or anything else.
This is where you need to pay special attention!
Only 1 kg packaging is counterfeited. this is the most cost effective. The packaging of Lavazza Qualita Oro coffee beans contains 1 kg. Fig. No. 3 indicates both the production date and the expiration date (on European packaging there will be only the expiration date and production time as in Fig. No. 2), and most importantly, the production time . If there is no production time (hours and minutes) on the packaging of Lavazza Oro of any weight, then you are holding a fake in your hands !
We hope that our article will help you with your purchase; you will be able to identify a fake using the examples above. Be sure that you can buy real Italian coffee No. 1 Lavazza in our online store. Our consultants will always help you make your choice.
Be healthy! Drink only delicious and high-quality coffee!
