Foods imported to Armenia from EEU not tested for carcinogens
10.06.2015,
18:47
Food products Armenia imports from Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are not tested for carcinogens, unlike Armenian food products, exported to these countries which together with Armenia make the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Levon Achemyan, chief of a laboratory at the Scientific Center for Food Safety, told a news conference today.
YEREVAN, June 10. / ARKA /. Food products Armenia imports from Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are not tested for carcinogens, unlike Armenian food products, exported to these countries which together with Armenia make the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Levon Achemyan, chief of a laboratory at the Scientific Center for Food Safety, told a news conference today.
He said Armenian authorities must demand that foods imported from these countries be tested for presence of carcinogens too. According to him, not only imported, but also domestically produced vegetable oils can contain up to 50% of harmful substances, including trans fats, nitrates, acrylamide, which if consumed regularly can lead to cardiovascular disease, increased risk of heart attacks and other illnesses.
Levon Achemyan said citizens when buying vegetable fats should pay attention to the fat content of the product, which must not be lower than 72%, while dairy butter’s fat content should be around 82-85%. He said fast foods and soft drinks, sold on the street are neither subjected to laboratory tests.
"Today the quality of these foods and drinks are of particular concern, since the presence of trans fats, nitrate, acrylamide in them exceeds all permissible norms and their percentage is not overseen by anyone,’ he said.
Chairwoman of the National Association of Consumers of Armenia Melita Hakobyan spoke about the dangers of carbonated beverages.
"It's summer, it's very hot, and it is natural that people are constantly thirsty, and many did not hesitate to buy soft drinks on the street, but they should know that drinks in plastic bottles which are exposed to heat all day long are harmful to health.’
She also warned that soft drinks lead to obesity due to the high sugar content and the presence of aspartame (sweetener) that triggers a constant feeling of thirst.
She said the best drink in hot summer is water and Armenian tan (a fermented milk drink) or natural juices. -0-
He said Armenian authorities must demand that foods imported from these countries be tested for presence of carcinogens too. According to him, not only imported, but also domestically produced vegetable oils can contain up to 50% of harmful substances, including trans fats, nitrates, acrylamide, which if consumed regularly can lead to cardiovascular disease, increased risk of heart attacks and other illnesses.
Levon Achemyan said citizens when buying vegetable fats should pay attention to the fat content of the product, which must not be lower than 72%, while dairy butter’s fat content should be around 82-85%. He said fast foods and soft drinks, sold on the street are neither subjected to laboratory tests.
"Today the quality of these foods and drinks are of particular concern, since the presence of trans fats, nitrate, acrylamide in them exceeds all permissible norms and their percentage is not overseen by anyone,’ he said.
Chairwoman of the National Association of Consumers of Armenia Melita Hakobyan spoke about the dangers of carbonated beverages.
"It's summer, it's very hot, and it is natural that people are constantly thirsty, and many did not hesitate to buy soft drinks on the street, but they should know that drinks in plastic bottles which are exposed to heat all day long are harmful to health.’
She also warned that soft drinks lead to obesity due to the high sugar content and the presence of aspartame (sweetener) that triggers a constant feeling of thirst.
She said the best drink in hot summer is water and Armenian tan (a fermented milk drink) or natural juices. -0-
