Russian officials criticize Belarus' food safety system

Russia's sanitary authorities have criticized Belarus' control over the enforcement of food safety, suggesting that the country's imports could be unsafe, BelaPAN reported.

"Regular flaws detected in the organization of state control over the remaining amount of harmful substances in the body of live animals and animal products in Belarus are evidence of the insufficient efficiency and validity of tests carried out there," Rosselkhoznadzor said in the statement.

It suggested that Belarus' sanitary authorities were no able to "respond promptly and adequately" to the discovery of unsafe products.

In late October, Rosselkhoznadzor said that it would remove 20 Belarusian meat-packing, dairy and poultry plants starting from November 1 from the list of Belarusian producers that are allowed to export to Russia. It cited the 20 companies' failure to meet Russian sanitary standards.

Russia's agriculture ministry later agreed to postpone the introduction of the ban until December 1.