Rosselkhoznadzor took samples from four Auchan stores for testing between 14 to 21 July. The sites in Moscow were Auchan Sokolniki, Auchan Fleet, Auchan Marfino, and Auchan Rublevo.
The research indicated that in 15 of of 17 samples the raw material composition indicated on Auchan’s labels did not correspond to the actual composition and 89% were counterfeit products.
Minced beef, pork
The minced beef was found to contain DNA of pork, chicken and lamb not listed on the label. The minced pork detected the DNA of beef, chicken, lamb and a beef and lamb semi-kebab also found pork DNA traces.
In a statement Rosselkhoznadzor concluded the food products had replaced one type of meat with another of less value.
Auchan Russia director for external communication Maria Kournossova said that it would take the necessary measures after seeing the documentation.
Use-by dates
In a statement she said: “We will organise additional control of use-by dates of raw materials; specialised areas will be organized for separate suppliers and the production of clean products, packaged and not packaged.”
However, Auchan has indicated it is unhappy with certain claims made and will be defending itself against them.
According to its website Auchan is the 11th largest food retailer in the world, the third largest French food retailer with 330,700 employees. It operates in 15 countries across Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.
Auchan opened in Russia in 2002. It currently has 84 hypermarkets, 150 Atak supermarkets, 35 shopping centres and 38,960 employees.