Roshen defends quality concerns raised by Russian watchdog

Russia’s federal service for health and consumer rights (Rospotrebnadzor) had hit out at the quality of Ukrainian confectionery products, with Roshen the brunt of its attack.

Head of Rospotrebnadzor Gennady Onishchenko said: “This service has recently been increasingly concerned over the quality of confectionery products coming from the Ukraine. In the first place, questions are raised by the product of Roshen.”​

However, Roshen told ConfectioneryNews.com that it has received no official communication from the Russian federation on the matter.

“It was a surprise to us,”​ said Inna Petrenko, director of PR at Roshen. “We have not officially received any document from any organisation from Russia or the Ukraine now, or for the past 15 years.”​

“Our priority is the quality of our products and we never make any compromise,”​ she said.

Strict rules adhered to​

Roshen said it has always adhered to the rules on certification and sanitary norms in accordance to regulations in the Ukraine and from the Russian Federation.

“The certification procedures of each operational production site, where confectionery products are being produced for the Russian import market, have always been strictly followed in the required terms, and to date, Roshen Corporation has never obtained any claims or notices from the Russian Federation certification authorities,”​ it said in an emailed statement.

The company has international food safety and quality ISO standards for its production units and operates with a quality management system.

Roshen is currently trying to “clear and settle the existing situation”​ with the Russian Federation, it added.

The company said it wants constructive cooperation with all control and inspection authorities it works with.