France smashed 35,000 ‘champagne’ soda bottles
Customs officials in the northern port of Le Havre said the bottles originated from Haiti and contained a "bright orange liquid".
They were seized in October 2021 after customs noticed their label "Couronne Fruit Champagne".
Only sparkling wine products from the French Champagne region can use the title.
The name is designated under France's Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system, which should give them exclusive use of the word in countries that follow EU laws on distinctive geographical indications.
There are currently more than 121 countries that follow the ruling on the use of the name, according to the Champagne trade association.
Greek Feta, Italian Parmesan and British Stilton blue cheese are also protected by such rules.
French customs said the bottles of the orange drink were intended for sale on the French market.
In October 2022, a Parisian court ruled the bottles should be destroyed as they infringed the AOC regulation.
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