Rosselhoznadzor inspectors discovered expired Kottlets and butter in the Nizhny Novgorod region
Rosselkhoznadzor Announces Annulment of Electronic Veterinary Certificates for Products with Advanced Production Dates
In a recent development, Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian federal agency responsible for veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance, has annulled electronic veterinary certificates for products produced "in advance" by several enterprises in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
Among the annulled documents are frozen chicken Kiev, totaling 200 kg, and sweet cream butter, totaling 12,280 kg. The chicken Kiev, produced on August 4, 2025, was listed with a production date of August 31, 2025, while the sweet cream butter, produced on the same day, was given a production date of August 31, 2025, as well.
The advanced production dates for these products suggest instances of falsification or manipulation of manufacturing dates. There could be several reasons for this practice:
- Extending Shelf Life Illegally: Producers or distributors might alter production dates to make products appear fresher, thereby extending their marketability and shelf life beyond the actual time.
- Avoiding Waste and Losses: By backdating or advancing dates, businesses can sell products that are closer to expiration, reducing financial losses from unsold inventory.
- Fraudulent Practices: It may be a deliberate attempt to deceive consumers and regulators about product freshness and safety.
- Compliance Evasion: To bypass sanctions, import restrictions, or quality control checks that rely on production or expiration dates.
The implications of such practices can be severe:
- Health Risks: Consumers might unknowingly consume spoiled or unsafe products, leading to foodborne illnesses.
- Legal and Regulatory Actions: Manufacturers and distributors found guilty can face fines, product recalls, or shutdowns by regulatory authorities.
- Loss of Consumer Trust: Such incidents can erode trust in food producers and sellers, impacting brand reputation.
- Market Disruption: It may lead to increased inspections and tighter control measures on food products, affecting supply chains.
- Economic Consequences: Apart from penalties, companies may suffer financial losses due to confiscated products and damaged reputation.
Rosselkhoznadzor's findings underscore the importance of maintaining accurate production and expiration dates to protect consumer health and ensure product integrity. Authorized individuals have received a warning for the violations, and further investigations are expected to ensure the safety and quality of food products in the region.
The annulment of electronic veterinary certificates by Rosselkhoznadzor raises questions about the practice of altering production dates in the health-and-wellness industry, particularly for food-and-drink products. This manipulation could be a risk to consumers' health-and-wellness, as it may lead to the consumption of spoiled or unsafe products. Furthermore, such practices could result in legal and regulatory actions against the involved enterprises, loss of consumer trust, market disruption, and economic consequences due to penalties and damaged reputation.
