E. coli found in Russian Metro store
The government body said that several types of meat were infected, including pig cuts, semi-finished beef products and semi-finished lamb, which have been “found [to be] contaminated with bacteria coliform as well mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms”.
Assistant head of Rosselkhoznadzor Alexey Alekseenko said the fine for Metro totalled RUB13,000 (US$207). “This is something that is provided by our Code of Administrative Offences,” he said.
He added that the department was preparing for large-scale inspections of all retail chains throughout the country. “At the moment we are aiming to find out what actually takes place in the retail chains,” he said. The inspections are believed to be connected with the Metro case and similar incidents at Auchan stores in August year, which the retailer blamed on its meat suppliers.
In order, to avoid further problems in the future, the French retailer announced an investment of US$40m in the construction of its own meat-processing plant in Russia.
Representatives of Metro denied any liability in the Adygea case. “For all meat products we request manufacturers and suppliers provide testing protocols, which confirm compliance with the requirements of products quality and safety. At the moment, we are testing products at the independent laboratories for additional protocols,” said the company in a statement.
Market experts noted that after the Auchan scandal, Russian veterinary bodies took a tougher stance on the quality of meat products in retail chains and that inspections would continue.
“We check meat products first because this is a product of the highest risk,” said Alekseenko. “And, of course, we give it the biggest focus. It is absolutely normal.” He added that the new case is not connected with the Auchan situation and that the Russian veterinary body would inspect all retail chains one by one.
“There is nothing wrong with the inspection of the retail business, which is engaged in meat trade, but the market participants are questioning why they started now, as nothing in this area has changed over recent years,” said an industry insider, who wished to remain anonymous. “Some experts believe that this could be a sort of re-division of the market with the use of the administrative resources in favour of particular players. However, we can not say that such version is quite popular.”
