"They are creating a crisis for the image of Italian food in the world, they are putting the health of consumers at risk and putting our environment at risk <…> Above all they are suffocating the business and economic fabric of many honest companies that are being jeopardised by this criminal activity," head of Coldiretti, a think tank dedicated to studying mafia influence in agriculture, Roberto Moncalvo said, according to Reuters.
The gangsters also made counterfeit products, such as virgin olive oil and mozzarella cheese. They also influenced sales and distribution, and stole entire herds of animals and farm harvests, according to Coldiretti.
Italy's economic downturn has only worsened the situation, according to the organization, as investors began putting money in illegal operations over legal ones because of higher returns.
