Russian authorities are conducting "systematic" inspections at French supermarket chain Auchan following concerns about poor-quality meat, a top consumer rights official said yesterday. 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. Inspections are underway across all of Auchan's stores in Moscow with the support of prosecutors, said Anna Popova, head of the state consumer protection agency Rospotrebnadzor, in comments reported by Russian media. "Since the middle of June, a systematic, complete, planned inspection of all shops from the Auchan chain in Moscow is underway," Popova said. The company's website says it has 19 outlets in Moscow with several more in surrounding areas. No reasons for the inspections were reported, but the move follows allegations by another Russian government agency, Rosselkhoznadzor, that Auchan's pork products had been found to contain DNA from cows, chickens and horses. The company was also accused of prolonging expiry dates on meat products.