Stop production and breakdown of contracts: Ukrainian enterprises suffer through blocking the import of food flavors - food associations

UkrCondprom and Food Manufacturers League products »express deep concern due to the situation, that has happened around import of food flavors, which contain technologically necessary and Safe residual amounts of precursors, In particular, the pipronal, Safrol and phenylocetic acid.

By The words of the President of the Association Oleksandr Baldyniuk and the Chairman of the League Board Food producers Gennady Kuznetsov, Since November 2024 the year process Customs clearance of natural flavors, required to produce a wide range of food products, completely stopped. It is said, including, about Chocolate with toppings, milk and sausage products, beverages, Baking where these are substances are indispensable for creating taste properties.

“Ukrainian manufacturers are on the verge of production stop certain types of food through bureaucratic delaying adoption Critically important decisions. If the situation is not resolved soon, already In May, such a product group may disappear from conveyors, Like chocolate with stuffing. This will lead to millions of losses, Losses of jobs and breakdown export contracts ”, - the authors of the appeal stressed.

«The refusal of the State Customs Service of Ukraine to customs clearance of food flavors, which we import from EU countries, actually creates a technical barrier in trade between Ukraine and its key partners. It causes surprise in conditions active negotiations on preferential trade regime with the European Union ”, - noted Baldyniuk and Kuznetsov.

The substances mentioned are recognized as safe in the EU, allowed EU Regulation No. 1334/2008 For use in foodstuffs, as well as Confirmed by the Scientific Conclusions of the European Security Agency food products (EFSA).

The current Ukrainian legislation allows the import of such fragrances Without any additional control measures. Ukraine is a member of the UN Convention 1988 year, which clearly derives from the control measures of the mixture and drugs, in which precursors cannot be highlighted in an easily accessible way or not pose threats to illegal use.

A similar norm contains EU Regulation No. 273/2004 of Drugs precursors.

“The mixtures of flavors are not subject to action control, Since they do not carry any threat. In our opinion, No legal grounds to block import of such substances. The problem is the wrong interpreting norms by the authorities, that artificially creates barriers to food industry ”, - said the President of the Association and the Chairman of the League Board food producers.

According to Baldyniuk and Kuznetsov, Ministry of Security The health of Ukraine has developed a draft amendment to the CMU Resolution No. 770, What It is envisaged to remove restrictions on the control over the circulation of food fragrances, which contain certain types of precursors. But the approval of the document is delayed law enforcement agencies.

“This position is surprised, After all, law enforcement Bodies have a full arsenal, In particular, laboratories . For example, The state does not block the import of sugar just because, what is under its appearance Theoretically you can import something else forbidden by law and look like in appearance ”, They emphasized.

"Problem, which state authorities could decide for fortnight, has not been resolved for over six months, And the food business became hostage of bureaucratic red tape. In the conditions of war such an institutional irresponsibility is unacceptable ”, - summed up the heads of UkrCondprom and Food Manufacturers League.

For the record:
• UN Convention 1988 the year of fighting against illicit drug trafficking and psychotropic substances involves, that precursors in mixtures, that cannot be distinguished from these mixtures with available methods or which are not the risk of abuse, not to be controlled.

 • EU Regulation No. 273/2004 contains similar to the above -mentioned UN Convention Regulations on exceptions for food flavors.
• EU Regulation No. 1334/2008 Includes Piperonal, saffrol and phenylocetic acid etc. to the list of allowed substances for use in the food industry.
• There is no food flavors register in Ukraine, But by law are allowed to use those flavors, which are registered in the EU.
• According to market estimates, before 90% flavors - imported. Blocking them Import creates the risk of losing tens of millions of dollars a month only in export.

Association "Ukrkondprom" – Sectoral Combining confectionery manufacturers, food concentrates, starch products and coffee in Ukraine

 “Manufacturers League food – association, that is almost 26 He has been dealing with questions harmonization of food legislation with European coordinating efforts in this direction with enterprises of different sectors of the food industry

Oleksandr Baldyniuk, +380675360049