Finnish authorities are investigating a company for allegedly buying foreign game meat and selling it as a domestic product.

Joupin Meklari Oy is suspected by officials of buying, selling and storing items such as venison products, in a way that is noncompliant with regulations. Police have also opened a preliminary investigation into the case.

The company, based in the South Ostrobothnia region of the country, is believed to have bought thousands of pounds of foreign game meat and sold it as a domestic product.

The Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) has ordered withdrawal and destruction of meat products as the labeling does not make it possible to verify their content, origin or safety. This decision was taken as the firm was found to have ground, cut and packaged meat under conditions that are only authorized for storing frozen meat.

The agency said the company has sold game meat products to retailers and restaurants throughout Finland and they could still be on sale. It advised consumers to return products from Joupin Meklari Oy to the place of purchase or throw them away. However, the items are not believed to present a health risk to consumers.

Food agency and police investigating
Local food control authorities have been told to ensure the company’s products are disposed of at the point of purchase.

The Seinäjoki Economic Crime Unit has started a preliminary investigation into the matter after a request from a local food control authority.

The business owner is suspected to have received tens of thousands and up to €100,000 ($108,500) in less than three years, according to police.

Over the past couple of years, the company had sold around 2,500 kilograms of game products each year.

Meanwhile, officials in Denmark have urged consumers who bought sausages from an address in Southern Jutland to return the goods or throw them out.

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) received an anonymous tip this past week where the agency found the owner of the property in Toftlund selling meat from a wild boar that had been shot in Germany and taken to Denmark.

The owner could not document how the meat was produced and stored and the company was not registered with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration so has not been subjected to a visit to see if it complies with pest control and hygiene regulations.

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