Press Release: Two convictions in adulterated butter case

The Magistrates Court in Créteil (France) imposed suspended prison sentences on the managers of a dairy company found guilty of selling products manufactured using adulterated butter. The defendants will also have to pay back over €23 million. The judgment is the result of an international investigation in which the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has played an active part, providing back-up for national investigations in France, Italy, Belgium and Germany. The aim of the investigations was to uncover and prosecute offences involving the production and distribution of adulterated butter on the European market, which therefore have implications for the Community budget. The Créteil Court judgment is still subject to appeal; therefore it should be mentioned that the principle of presumption of innocence still applies.

OLAF Press Release/08/01: Two convictions in adulterated butter case http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=OLAF/08/01&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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