The Official Body for Food Safety of Armenia has received a letter from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus regarding the ongoing state supervision of food product safety in Armenia. The letter states that during a control conducted by the state supervisory body for the protection of consumers’ rights and human well-being in the field of food production and preservation in Armenia, it was discovered that the food additive E122, also known as azorubine, used in the low-alcoholic beverage “Ayrum” produced by “Ararat Konyak” LLC, does not meet the requirements of the European Technical Regulations for Food Additives.

However, the letter does not provide specific details, such as the quantity of the non-compliant additive found, whether other samples were tested, or if further scientific studies were conducted. As a result of this information, the Republic of Belarus has temporarily banned the importation and distribution of the low-alcoholic beverage “Ayrum” produced by “Ararat Konyak” LLC.

In response, the State Service for Food Safety of Armenia will conduct additional laboratory tests to verify the accuracy of the reported non-compliance with the requirements of the Republic of Belarus. These tests will also aim to clarify the specific details surrounding the restrictions imposed by Belarus. The results of these tests will be published in a subsequent statement by the State Service for Food Safety.