RUSSIA: Auchan may face semi-finished products ban in Russia | Progresiv
Groupe Auchan, Russia’s third-largest retailer, may be restricted from making semi-finished products in the country after the food-safety regulator said meat used for pizzas violated quality standards. 
The watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, will seek to suspend output of such products at Auchan Moscow stores, according to a statement.
The watchdog earlier inspected meat and sausages in Auchan stores and found microbiological violations in 35 out of 47 checks, it said. Auchan, the largest foreign retailer in Russia, is coming under pressure amid geopolitical tensions.
The European Union prolonged economic sanctions against Russia in June, while the Kremlin retaliated by extending a ban on certain food imports. Russia also started destroying illegally imported food last week, with footage of the work highlighted in state news programs.
Auchan may build a 2.5-billion ruble facility in Russia’s Tambov region to process meat from local farmers, RBC newspaper reported, citing local authorities and Auchan spokeswoman Maria Kournossova. Auchan’s Russian press office declined immediate comment when contacted by Bloomberg. (www.esmmagazine.com)
