Geslin egg producer targeted by investigation for falsification and deception

The La-Roche-sur-Yon prosecutor opened an investigation after conclusions from the DGCCRF.

The Geslin egg company, based in Chauché (Vendée), is the target of an investigation for falsification and deception, France Bleu Loire Océan learned on Tuesday April 23 from the Ministry of the Economy and the public prosecutor of La Roche- sur-Yon.

The company markets egg products (from egg processing) to biscuit manufacturers. The public prosecutor confirms to France Bleu Loire Océan that it was reports made between 2017 and 2020 that triggered the investigation.

The DGCCRF detected several problems

According to a press release from the Ministry of the Economy, “egg products constitute microbiologically sensitive ingredients whose bacteriological quality must comply with the regulations in force, the microbiological criteria set by the manufacturer as part of its risk analysis as well as the criteria imposed by industrial users”. However, the DGCCRF investigation detected several problems: “analysis results minimizing the bacterial load of certain batches of egg products (…) falsely valorizing communication relating to quality labels, the origin of the eggs, their state of freshness or the way the chickens are raised from which they come”.

The egg producer Geslin is also implicated “for marketing liquid egg whites presented as pure when they contained a mixture of additives”, continues the ministry press release. Several on-site checks have since been carried out and the prosecution was seized last March, reports France Bleu Loire Océan.

The DGCCRF transmitted its conclusions to the La Roche-sur-Yon public prosecutor’s office. “Subject to the assessment of the judicial authority, the practices observed, committed to the detriment of the industrial customers of the Geslin group and, indirectly, consumers, are likely to be qualified as falsifications and deception”, concludes the ministry press release. The public prosecutor has opened an investigation.

Already questioned in 2017

Analyzes are underway to decide on the follow-up to the investigation. “Forgery and deception are offenses punishable respectively by 2 and 3 years of imprisonment, 300 000 euros fine for individuals and a maximum fine of 1 500 000 euros for legal entities, reminds the DGCCRF. The amount of the fine may be increased, in proportion to the benefits derived from the offense, to 10% of the average annual turnover calculated over the last three financial years known on the date of the facts..

The Geslin company was founded in 1973. Around 200 employees work there. In 2017, she had already been singled out by the L214 association for the conditions of chicken breeding.