McDonald's Corp. said today that in recent weeks a total of 12 of its stores in Russia have been temporarily closed over the state food safety regulator's allegations of sanitary violations, according to Reuters.com.

The U.S.-based fast food chain, which has 440 restaurants in the country, told Reuters that more than 100 inspections were under way at its restaurants in various regions of Russia.

"We are studying the essence of claims in order to determine the necessary actions for the swift re-opening of restaurants for visitors," McDonald's said in a statement issued today. "Of the 12 McDonald's restaurants currently closed in Russia, the court has made a decision that four of these — three in Moscow and one in Yekaterinburg — should remain temporarily closed for a further period. We do not agree with the court's decision and will appeal against it in accordance with the procedures established by the law."