The family of one of the French defendants, Laurent Fortin, had started a petition on change.org calling for his release and pleading with the French government to help, saying he had been made a scapegoat by Farine. Fortin, who the Shanghai court identified as the chain's production manager, was given a suspended jail sentence of two years and five months, and fined 60,000 yuan ($8,900). Suspended sentences typically mean the accused is not required to go to jail and may have the term reduced or waived with good behaviour in the interim.
"We're happy about the verdict because he won't go back to jail. We understand the decision. We are grateful to China. We are patient," Fortin's brother David told AFP in France.
He added that he was not sure when his brother would be able to return to France.
The arrests came after a former employee posted video on Chinese social media alleging that Farine was using out-of-date flour imported from France.
Fortin was released in January last year shortly before a visit to Beijing by French President Emmanuel Macron, but had to remain in China pending a resolution of the case.
The other French defendants were identified by the court as Marion Claudia Christine Tuduri, who received a suspended sentence of three years and 150,000 yuan fine, and Damien Joseph Armand Ortal, who got two years and two months and a 50,000 yuan fine.
None of the defendants were available for comment after the ruling.