Historical evolution of basic characteristics, underlying causes, and management tools of food fraud in China: 1949-2022.

The emergence and development of food fraud are closely related to a country's economic system and social development. It has distinct characteristics in different historical stages, and an inherent historical logic links different historical stages. Following the thread of "what", "why", and "what to do", this study uses a broad perspective and comparative historical approach to examine the evolution of the basic characteristics, underlying causes, and management tools of food fraud in China at different historical stages over 70 years from 1949 to 2022. This study argues that the historical evolution of food fraud in China has characteristics unique to China as well as features similar to those in other countries. It provides a window for academics to understand the historical evolution of food fraud in China. It also provides valuable insights for other countries, especially developing countries, for objectively understanding the evolution of food fraud during their economic development process, and how to address it.