Food and drinks

Russia has banned “Palcohol” sales

Federal Consumer Protection and Public Welfare Service (Rospotrebnadzor) has announced that, due to the fact that the sale of powder alcohol (“palcohol”) has been permitted in several US states, it is possible that some distributors will try to release this product on the Russian market.

Russia is to suspend the import of "lactose-free" cheeses

Import of “lactose-free dairy products” into Russia may be suspended as under this categories cheese is being imported into the country. The import of cheese from certain countries is currently banned by the Russian Federation. The Federal Consumer Protection and Public Welfare Service is requesting to take the relevant measures.

Russia might allow import of certain products without brand owners’ permission

Federal Anti-monopoly Service (FAS) has sent to the Vice-Premier a list of products for which they propose to allow the parallel import – without brand owners’ permission. The list is said to include cosmetics, perfumery, soft drinks and hygienic products, such as nappies. Also, the list may include pharmaceuticals, vehicle spare parts and medical products.

The Russian Chemist Union: PET bottles do not contain harmful substances

The Russian Chemist Union (RCU) reckons that the presence of harmful substances in plastic bottles is not possible. The RCU President stated that it is not possible that PET bottles contain phthalates. This contradicts the laws of chemistry and the results of numerous Russian and foreign research projects.

EEU: Prohibition to manufacture and place on the market baby food containing ethyl vanillin enters into force on 6 April 2016

As of 6 April 2016 baby food importers and manufacturers are prohibited to manufacture or place on the Customs Union market any baby food which contains ethyl vanillin. This requirement applies to food which is intended for babies younger than 4 months as well as to food in a form of mixtures intended for healthy older children and which has undergone the state registration as special food before Decision No. 69 of 18 September 2014 of 18 September 2014 enters into force. The exact date when Decision No. 69 enters into force is not known yet.

Russia may impose an import ban on additional products

As the European Union has introduced a new sanctions "package", Russia may, in response, introduce an additional import ban on clothes, wine, vehicles, luxury goods, fridges and petrochemicals from EU or the US. There is no final list and no draft regulation imposing this ban but, as the state officials say, certain response measures are sure to be introduced.

Russia retaliates with a food ban in response to the sanctions

Last month Russia has responded to the Western sanctions by imposing a one-year ban on all imports of certain types of food, such as meats, fish, milk and dairy, seafood, fruits and vegetables.  The targeted exporting countries are the EU member states, the US, Australia, Canada and the Kingdom of Norway.

Russia reduces import duties for a number of goods

As of 1 September 2014 lower import tariffs will apply to thousands of products imported into Russia (88 groups of products and 4822 product codes in total).

The tariffs were amended as a result of Russia joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2012.

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