French Authorities Challenge Source of Kiwis in “Kiwigate”

French fraud investigators have reportedly accused seven kiwi suppliers of stamping kiwis imported from Italy as “French origin.” French authorities apparently noticed an influx of French kiwis on the market during the off-season for the fruit, leading them to investigate where the kiwis were sourced. According to The Guardian, investigators found that 12 percent of kiwis labeled as French were imported from Italy, where they can be grown with lower production costs and treated with products banned in France that can result in a higher yield. If convicted, the suppliers may receive prison sentences and €300,000 fines.