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Germany investigates organic egg 'fraud' | Germany investigates organic egg 'fraud' |
(about 14 hours later) | |
German authorities are investigating allegations of fraud over the mislabelling of eggs as organic. | German authorities are investigating allegations of fraud over the mislabelling of eggs as organic. |
The northern state of Lower Saxony has launched an investigation into allegations that 150 farms had mislabelled their eggs. | The northern state of Lower Saxony has launched an investigation into allegations that 150 farms had mislabelled their eggs. |
It is claimed that the hens live in conditions that do not conform to organic regulations. | |
The farm minister said that if the accusations are proved to be true, it would be "fraud on a grand scale". | The farm minister said that if the accusations are proved to be true, it would be "fraud on a grand scale". |
Farm Minister Ilse Aigner said in a statement that the mislabelling of eggs would be "fraud against consumers but also fraud against the many organic farmers in Germany who work honestly". | Farm Minister Ilse Aigner said in a statement that the mislabelling of eggs would be "fraud against consumers but also fraud against the many organic farmers in Germany who work honestly". |
She urged regional governments to ensure the full implementation of tough German and EU laws on organic food production. | She urged regional governments to ensure the full implementation of tough German and EU laws on organic food production. |
The investigations come as Europe's food industry has been engulfed by a meat processing and labelling scandal after multiple processed meat products labelled as beef were revealed to contain quantities of horsemeat. | The investigations come as Europe's food industry has been engulfed by a meat processing and labelling scandal after multiple processed meat products labelled as beef were revealed to contain quantities of horsemeat. |
An additional 50 farms in two other German states are also under investigation for mislabelling eggs as organic. | An additional 50 farms in two other German states are also under investigation for mislabelling eggs as organic. |
Organic food is increasingly popular in Germany and consumers are willing to pay a premium for products they believe conform to strict standards. | |
Two years ago, a European Union-wide health alert was sparked when German officials said animal feed tainted with dioxin had been fed to hens and pigs, contaminating eggs, poultry meat and pork at affected farms. | Two years ago, a European Union-wide health alert was sparked when German officials said animal feed tainted with dioxin had been fed to hens and pigs, contaminating eggs, poultry meat and pork at affected farms. |
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