France targets misleading origin labels

The French government is stepping up efforts to combat misleading origin labelling of food products. In 2024, fraud control agency DGCCRF carried out 10,000 inspections on items marketed as French. Irregularities were found in 34% of cases. This resulted in 1,802 warnings, 588 cease-and-desist orders, and 562 official reports. Most checks focused on vegetables, fruit, meat, and alcohol. In regions such as Occitanie, serious violations were uncovered, including the false labelling of imported onions as ‘origine France’.

Misrepresentation involving honey, apple juice and celeriac

The DGCCRF found cases of so-called ‘francisation’ at both large and small companies. One apple juice producer claimed on its labels that organic apples were locally harvested, while in reality, part of the juice came from Italy and Germany. In Moselle, a small vendor was caught selling repackaged bulk honey at markets, presenting it as his own farm’s product. Other checks revealed Belgian celeriac sold as French, traceable through substances not authorised for use in France.

Checks supported by customs and laboratory testing

The French authorities are ramping up controls in cooperation with customs and the tax service. Inspectors rely on bookkeeping audits, random sampling, cross-checks and laboratory analysis. According to the Ministers of Agriculture and Trade, fighting francisation is vital to safeguard food sovereignty and to protect both producers and consumers. Transparency throughout the food chain remains a central focus.

Agroberichtenbuitenland.nl