France's leading pork processor Cooperl has been handed a fine of EUR150,000 (US$165,000) for knowingly selling around 2,000 tonnes of meat contaminated with salmonella between 2010 and 2012.
Three of Cooperl's staff received suspended jail terms of four to 24 months while several others have either been cleared fully or partially of the charges levelled against them.
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In addition to the fine, the EUR2.9m seized by justice officers during the preliminary investigation and corresponding to the value of the fraud, were confiscated.
Commenting on the judgement, Cooperl's president, Patrice Drillet, said: "This conviction is regrettable but we feel that the court has recognised those elements in the case which show that the health of customers and the quality of our products is of constant concern to Cooperl."
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A spokesperson for Cooperl told just-food the group had been condemned for forgery, deception and fraud but underlined that the charges of use of forgery and endangering human life had been dismissed.
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