History Forum / General / General Topics / September 2004

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/481464.html

Authorities seize 80,000 cans of dog food sold as foie gras
By Nofar Sinai

The Health and Agriculture ministries' branches in Ashkelon yesterday seized
80,000 cans of dog food that had been disguised as foie gras, as if fit for
human consumption

The product, imported from Bulgaria by Fried Leonid and originally labeled
"chicken for dogs," was given two different fraudulent labels: "Domestic
Birds liver pate. Producer: S.E. Grenot, France" and "Pate foie gras.
Producer: Lovmit General Toshevo."

The Health Ministry has warned the public not to consume products bearing
these labels. Shirley Deri, food engineer for the district of Ashkelon, said
the products had not been distributed to food chains.

The Health Ministry, however, is still investigating if there had been early
deliveries of the canned goods.

"The health risks from such a product are considerable. It could contain
microbiological pathogens that are lethal to humans," Deri said.

Deri added that aside from the names of the products, the importer had also
forged the Kashrut certification.

The Agriculture Ministry is conducting an investigation into the criminal
offenses involved before deciding on a course of action.

The Health Ministry said that it viewed the forgery as a serious offense.