Pashinyan Expresses Dissatisfaction with Unmet Dairy Product Labeling Requirements

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has expressed dissatisfaction with the unmet requirements for labeling dairy products, noting that even after long-term efforts and adopted decisions, it remains difficult to distinguish in stores which products are made from pure milk and which contain soy or fatty additives.

“Nothing has changed in life. It remains as it has been,” he stated.

A representative from the Ministry of Environment responded, clarifying that the issue is addressed by regulations requiring color differentiation and that relevant orders have already been issued. It is also planned to implement monitoring using recording devices to prevent producers from evading responsibility through quick closures.

The ministry reminded that there is already a regulation regarding the responsibility of tobacco manufacturers, according to which a tobacco manufacturer is fined 1% of the previous year's turnover for incorrect labeling. The same approach may also be applied to plastic bags.

Pashinyan emphasized the issue of administrative case failures in courts, stating that about 90% of administrative cases are failing in courts. “The courts are already overloaded, and judges are occupied with such cases. This entire chain is ineffective. We must prevent problems at the source rather than wait for them to reach the courts,” he said.

He noted that the deficiencies that have persisted for decades cannot be eliminated with a single decision; continuous and consistent work is necessary.