Kazakh and Russian flour imports fail iron and zinc quality checks

A recent inspection of premium and first-grade flour has uncovered quality issues in some imports. Tests revealed that nine samples failed to meet required standards for iron and zinc content. The affected products came from Kazakhstan and Russia.

Authorities examined 118 flour samples, including 57 from domestic producers and 61 from other CIS countries. Of these, seven Kazakh samples and two Russian samples did not comply with fortification rules. The law requires all flour to be enriched with iron, folic acid, zinc, and B vitamins.

Regulators responded by issuing five corrective orders and imposing fines. However, the exact amount of the penalties was not made public. The inspection did not specify how many companies or brands were involved in the violations. It also remained unclear whether the deficiencies were due to production errors or compliance failures.

The findings highlight gaps in flour fortification among some CIS suppliers. Corrective measures have been enforced, but the full impact on affected producers is still unknown. Further checks may follow to ensure compliance with nutritional standards.