CBS News
Law enforcement cracking down on Super Bowl counterfeits
Las Vegas — On the hunt for Super Bowl fakes, Homeland Security Investigations agents swept through Las Vegas over the past few days, seizing 4,600 football forgeries and counterfeits in hours, worth nearly $1 million.
“I think annually, the number of items out there, estimated to be in the trillions, and that’s trillion with a with a ‘T,'” said Katrina Berger, executive associate director for Homeland Security Investigations.
“Criminal organizations sell counterfeit merchandise, they manufacture and use the gains for many nefarious purposes,” Berger said.
Much of it is sold online, leaving buyers at risk of identity theft.
“I see some items that right in front of us, that are most likely going to be counterfeit NFL merchandise,” said Brandon Crane, assistant special agent in charge for HSI.
Crane spotted several fakes moments into a walk down Fremont Street near the Las Vegas Strip with a CBS News crew.
“As we get closer to the Super Bowl, you’re going to see more and more of it, you’re going to see mom-and-pop shops popping up, you’re going to see people selling these items out of the trunks of their cars,” Crane said. “It’s so prolific.”
Among the seized items this year, a fake Lombardi Trophy for $2,500, hundreds of jerseys, and even knock off Super Bowl championship rings. Last year, Operation Team Player led to 434 arrests.
“Just remember, true fans keep it real,” Berger said. “That’s what I want fans to know.”
HSI has also established a website that provides resources for football fans on how to spot counterfeit merchandise, as well as how to get help if you think you have purchased counterfeit items.
CBS News
Popular gluten free tortilla strips recalled over possible contamination with wheat
A food company known for popular grocery store condiments has recalled a package of tortilla strips that may be contaminated with wheat, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday. The product is meant to be gluten-free.
Sugar Foods, a manufacturing and distribution corporation focused mainly on various toppings, artificial sweeteners and snacks, issued the recall for the “Santa Fe Style” version of tortilla strips sold by the brand Fresh Gourmet.
“People who have a wheat allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the product,” said Sugar Foods in an announcement posted by the FDA.
Packages of these tortilla strips with an expiration date as late as June 20, 2025, could contain undeclared wheat, meaning the allergen is not listed as an ingredient on the label. The Fresh Gourmet product is marketed as gluten-free.
Sugar Foods said a customer informed the company on Nov. 19 that packages of the tortilla strips actually contained crispy onions, another Fresh Gourmet product normally sold in a similar container. The brand’s crispy onion product does contain wheat, and that allergen is noted on the label.
No illnesses tied to the packaging mistake have been reported, according to the announcement from Sugar Foods. However, the company is still recalling the tortilla strips as a precaution. The contamination issue may have affected products distributed between Sept. 30 and Nov. 11 in 22 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.
Sugar Foods has advised anyone with questions about the recall to contact the company’s consumer care department by email or phone.
CBS News reached out to Sugar Foods for more information but did not receive an immediate reply.
This is the latest in a series of food product recalls affected because of contamination issues, although the others involved harmful bacteria. Some recent, high-profile incidents include an E. coli outbreak from organic carrots that killed at least one person in California, and a listeria outbreak that left an infant dead in California and nine people hospitalized across four different states, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The E. coli outbreak is linked to multiple different food brands while the listeria outbreak stemmed from a line of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products sold by Yu-Shang Foods.
CBS News
Gazan chefs cook up hope and humanity for online audience
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
Serving up home-cooked dog food
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.