In a critical development for Russia’s grain sector, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) has invalidated 71 product declarations covering 98,000 metric tons of grain and oilseed crops in the Chelyabinsk region, citing the use of obsolete testing standards. The violations were uncovered during inspections of 358 agricultural enterprises in Q1 2025, with four farms in Chesmensky, Bredinsky, and Agapovsky districts singled out for particularly serious breaches.
Obsolete Testing Raises Red Flags
According to the Ural Interregional Directorate of Rosselkhoznadzor, laboratories tested wheat and other grains for carcinogenic residues such as hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), DDT, and deoxynivalenol (DON) using GOST standards that were abolished in January 2019. The problem is not only legal non-compliance — it potentially undermines the reliability of food safety results and puts consumers and livestock at risk.
“Testing was conducted using outdated methodologies no longer included in the active registry of standards,” Rosselkhoznadzor confirmed. As a result, declarations for 4,800 tons of product — including wheat, flaxseed, and sunflower seed — were revoked from the affected farms.
Why These Chemicals Matter
- HCH and DDT are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that were historically used as insecticides but are now banned or heavily restricted worldwide due to their long-term environmental persistence and carcinogenic properties.
- Deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi, is a common contaminant in cereals. It can cause vomiting, immunosuppression, and growth retardation in animals and poses health risks to humans at high levels.
All three substances are tightly regulated under international food safety standards, including Codex Alimentarius, EU regulations, and Russia’s own technical regulations (TR TS 021/2011) on food safety.
Regulatory Implications
Rosselkhoznadzor’s enforcement action serves as a critical reminder to Russian agribusinesses that testing must align with current legal standards and scientifically validated methods. With food exports forming a key part of Russia’s agricultural economy, non-compliance can undermine trust in Russian grain on the global stage, particularly among importers in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa who rely on strict documentation for food safety assurance.
In a 2024 report, the Russian Grain Union warned that improper quality documentation could jeopardize export contracts, especially with countries implementing traceability and residue monitoring systems. Russia exported over 60 million tons of grain in the 2023/24 season, making quality control a strategic priority.
The revelation that thousands of tons of grain were tested using outdated methods sends a strong message to the agricultural sector: regulatory compliance is non-negotiable in modern grain trade. As international buyers demand higher transparency and safety, producers must ensure that testing laboratories and certification procedures are up-to-date, accredited, and fully aligned with current laws. This will protect not only public health but also the global reputation of Russian grain.
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