Dairy companies required to indicate whether their products made of milk powder
13.10.2011,
00:55
Armenian agriculture minister Sergo Karapetian said today beginning next year all local dairy companies will be required to indicate whether their products contain milk powder According to some estimates, some 80% of dairy products here are produced from
YEREVAN, October 12. /ARKA/. Armenian agriculture minister Sergo Karapetian said today beginning next year all local dairy companies will be required to indicate whether their products contain milk powder According to some estimates, some 80% of dairy products here are produced from milk powder.
"The is an issue of concern as large quantities of milk powder are imported to the country for production of dairy products. This is why together with Food Safety Service we have developed a new concept, which the government has approved requiring a mandatory notice by the manufacturers whether their products are made of milk powder.
Karapetian said the ministry will follow closely so that dairy companies indicate the potion of powder milk in their products. He said a dairy product with high percentage of dry milk should be called milky drink.
"Milk powder is used all over the world and its is not easy to regulate this process. It is up to consumers to decide what kind of a product they prefer. The difference in price should be significant, as products made of wholesale milk are more expensive," he said.
The minister also said that milk procurement prices have increased over the last several months from 100 to 150-180 AMD per liter, partly due to high-priced animal feed.
According to the National Statistical Service, in January-August this year 277.9 million liters of milk were produced in Armenia, by 1% more from the same period of 2010, 2,244.8 tons of matsoon (an increase of 8.2%) , 1,869.5 tons of sour cream (an 8% decline) and 590.3 tons of cheese (a 21.5% rise). ($ 1 - 376.09 drams). -0-
"The is an issue of concern as large quantities of milk powder are imported to the country for production of dairy products. This is why together with Food Safety Service we have developed a new concept, which the government has approved requiring a mandatory notice by the manufacturers whether their products are made of milk powder.
Karapetian said the ministry will follow closely so that dairy companies indicate the potion of powder milk in their products. He said a dairy product with high percentage of dry milk should be called milky drink.
"Milk powder is used all over the world and its is not easy to regulate this process. It is up to consumers to decide what kind of a product they prefer. The difference in price should be significant, as products made of wholesale milk are more expensive," he said.
The minister also said that milk procurement prices have increased over the last several months from 100 to 150-180 AMD per liter, partly due to high-priced animal feed.
According to the National Statistical Service, in January-August this year 277.9 million liters of milk were produced in Armenia, by 1% more from the same period of 2010, 2,244.8 tons of matsoon (an increase of 8.2%) , 1,869.5 tons of sour cream (an 8% decline) and 590.3 tons of cheese (a 21.5% rise). ($ 1 - 376.09 drams). -0-
