More than 100 officers from the National Gendarmerie fanned out in 11 regions before dawn today, according to a statement. An official speaking on condition of anonymity because details had not yet been released said meat from animals used by drugmaker Sanofi-Pasteur was among the material involved, though the lab's role was unclear.
Government minister Benoit Hamon told RTL radio that it was a question of food safety, rather than simple fraud.