YEREVAN, DECEMBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The destroyed batch of Turkish cucumbers and tomatoes in Russia – which were labeled as Armenian – in reality hasn’t been documented in the state service for food safety (SSFS), meaning the SSFS did not issue a phytosanitary certificate for it, SSFS spokesperson Nvard Arakelyan told ARMENPRESS, commenting on the illegally imported vegetable batch which was discovered by Russia’s Saratov food inspection authorities, which, according to Russian media, were labeled as Armenian.

“We also clarified that it was discovered in a retail network rather on the border, meaning theoretically I do not rule out the possibility that something might have been sold under Armenian label, taking into account the Armenian production is prestigious in terms of quality”, she said.

According to the spokesperson, no report or official statements were received from their partner structures, but upon being notified on the issue, they contacted the authorities and revealed that no evidence has been presented proving the Armenian origin of the product, except the labeling.

Russian food inspection authorities discovered illegally imported Turkish vegetable batches in Saratov, which were labeled to be Armenian. The total volume of the product comprised 6 thousand 83kg, which included cucumbers and tomatoes.

Under the packaging of the product it was noted that the vegetables were imported from Turkey.  The importers failed to provide food safety documents to the Russian inspection. The entire batch has been destroyed.