Thieves targeting freight shipments—sometimes with an emphasis on food shipments—are costing the supply chain up to $35 billion annually and fueling price inflation for consumers. Strategic theft has risen 1,500% since the first quarter of 2021, and the average value per theft is over $200,000. In fact, cargo theft in the food industry has become such a significant challenge to food shippers that the Food Shippers Annual Conference earlier this year featured a panel discussion specifically on this topic.

Cargo theft comes in many forms and causes significant financial losses and operational disruptions, whether it involves imitating a legitimate company, pilfering goods over time, breaking into a parked tractor-trailer, double-brokering fraud, or holding freight hostage. Increasingly, thieves are employing sophisticated cyber methods to steal product.

Earlier this month, several associations such as the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) applauded a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers who introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. The bill seeks to establish a unified, federal response to the proliferation of cargo theft perpetrated by criminals who often operate across state and international borders.

“The trucking industry takes great pride in delivering America’s freight safely and on time; however, the billions of tons of goods transported by trucks from coast to coast have increasingly become a prime target for organized crime rings, including transnational organizations, putting truck drivers at risk and raising costs for consumers,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear. “ATA commends this bipartisan group of leaders for addressing this alarming trend and safeguarding our supply chain. By empowering federal agencies to improve cooperation across jurisdictions and ramp up enforcement actions, this bill would strike an effective blow against organized crime.”

Due to the complex nature of cargo theft, only the federal government has the authority, resources, and technical abilities to mount an effective defense. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would enhance legal frameworks; improve enforcement capabilities; and foster coordination among federal, state, and local agencies.

The bill was introduced in the Senate by Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), James Risch (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), and Steve Daines (R-Montana).

Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. David Joyce (R-Ohio), Susie Lee (D-Nevada), David Valadao (R-California), Dina Titus (D-Nevada), Michael Baumgartner (R-Washington), Brad Schneider (D-Illinois), Laurel Lee (R-Florida), Lou Correa (D-California), Brad Knott (R-North Carolina), Joe Neguse (D-Colorado), Nick LaLota (R-New York), Joe Morelle (D-New York), Mark Amodei (R-Nevada), Salud Carbajal (D-California), Juan Ciscomani (R-Arizona), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Troy Nehls (R-Texas), and Jim Costa (D-California).

Related Articles:

• 2025 Food Shippers Conference Focuses on Technology, Thefts, Tariffs
• How to Navigate Cargo Security and Food Safety Challenges
• How Food Shippers Adapt to Permanent Volatility in Supply Chains
• Ask Our Experts: Food Safety and Security

Like this kind of content? Subscribe to our "Food For Thought" eNewsletter!

Now more than ever, professionals consume info on the go. Distributed twice monthly, our "Food For Thought" e-newsletter allows readers to stay informed about timely and relevant industry topics and FSA news whether they're in the office or on the road. Topics range from capacity, rates and supply chain disruption to multimodal transportation strategy, leveraging technology, and talent management and retention. Learn More