Russia hits French chain Auchan with food inspections at time of political tension

Russian authorities say they are conducting "systematic" inspections at French supermarket chain Auchan following concerns about poor-quality meat.

The inspections come at a time of tension between France and Russia over the extension of European Union sanctions and France's decision to cancel a deal to provide warships to Russia.

Anna Popova, head of the state consumer protection agency Rospotrebnadzor, says inspections are underway across all of Auchan's stores in Moscow with the support of prosecutors, in comments reported by Russian media.

The company's website says it has 19 outlets in Moscow with several more in surrounding areas.

The move follows allegations by another Russian government agency that Auchan's pork products had been found to contain DNA from cows, chickens and horses.