News - Yerevan Stops 'Meat Food' Production due to Health Concerns

In a significant food safety intervention, production of specific meat products from the 'Meat Food' brand in Yerevan has been temporarily suspended. The decision follows an investigation by Armenia's Food Safety Inspection Body that uncovered serious health violations in products from a local production cooperative. The probe focused on a facility operated by 'Babik-90', located in Yerevan's Achapnyak district. Inspectors collected samples for laboratory analysis, which revealed the presence of pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella in products like the 'frozen Kiev-style chicken cutlet'. Additionally, the 'Moscow semi-smoked cooled sausage' showed levels of sodium nitrite, a preservative known chemically as E250, exceeding permissible limits. As a result of these findings, the production at the site has been halted, and the director of Babik-90 has been instructed to cease distribution of the affected batches. They are required to remove these products from the market and ensure they are either destroyed or earmarked for safe disposal. The Food Safety Inspection Body has set a deadline for the cooperative to rectify these violations. The brand 'Meat Food', produced by Babik-90, is distributed by 'DG', a company known for its extensive commercial activities in the region. This case underscores the vigilance necessary in food production industries, highlighting the pivotal role of regulatory bodies in safeguarding public health through rigorous compliance checks and enforcement of safety standards.