World

Two major French food companies, including one at the heart of a Europe-wide horse meat scandal, have agreed to use only French beef in their products, and French President Francois Hollande says he wants mandatory meat labeling for prepared foods to avoid future problems.

The announcements came Saturday at the French Agricultural Salon, a major political event showcasing an industry highlighting the farmland sources of France's famed culinary traditions. Hollande arrived at the Paris exposition before dawn and spent the day with his entourage talking to French farmers.

Frozen meals from the French processor Findus contained horse meat that was shipped from country to country and mislabeled as beef. Findus and the mass retailer Carrefour both said Saturday they would now use French beef exclusively in prepared foods.