The State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition has conducted a study on the supply and sale of condensed milk, sour cream, butter and melted cheese markets for disclosure of possible unfair competition. The commission's press service informs that violations were found in 30 companies, for which the RA SCPEC gave a strict warning to eliminate the problems within five days.

"Under the name of condensed milk, products of vegetable oil have been sold, such a situation exists in sour cream, butter and cheese market," SCPEC reports.

Monitoring was carried out in large supermarkets, and as a result, a number of problems were found out. Almost in all cases, without exception, the name of the condensed milk was indicated on the price tag, whereas the product actually sold contained vegetable oil and other ingredients.

According to the source, condensed milk can be called exclusively pure milk products. In addition, in a number of cases, in the Russian labeling of the product it has been mentioned in detail that it is made of vegetable oils, with some additives, whereas the supplier has translated it into Armenian as condensed milk, which is unacceptable. The same problem exists in the market of sour cream, butter and melted cheese.

In this case, labels have been made incorrectly, confusing and misleading consumers. According to the "Milk and Dairy Safety" technical regulation, condensed milk, sour cream, melted butter or melted cheese can be called exclusively pure milk products, whereas a number of products labeled with these names contain additives, vegetable fats, etc.

The Commission reports that some of the businesses have admitted they have committed violations, noting that immediately after the proceedings, the problem will be settled, while others have informed the Commission that they have been misled by the suppliers because the products delivered by them have been mentioned in the accounts under the names of condensed milk, sour cream, melted butter and melted cheese.

"Some of the supplying companies have incorrectly labeled factory names and led consumers to misunderstanding ," the committee reports.

The Commission has also examined the activities of supplier companies and found that in many cases the products they produce were made from vegetable oil, but they were presented as sour cream, melted butter, melted cheese and condensed milk. Some suppliers, who also imported, personally wrongly translate Russian labeling, misleading consumers.

The Commission urges consumers to be attentive when purchasing the aforementioned products, as there are two types of products of this kind in the market - flora and fauna that are substantially different from each other in terms of flavor, quality and price. Product derived from animal oils or pure milk is about 40 percent expensive than those of vegetable origin.

The Commission urges suppliers to provide only reliable and complete information on the products sold.

At the end of the session, Shaboyan noted that taking into consideration the fact that such violations were registered by the companies for the first time, and all the economic entities have accepted the fact of the violation and expressed readiness to eliminate it shortly, the Commission has refrained from applying fine.

"Such behavior of businessmen is inadmissible when we see the tendency of misleading consumers or, in other words, entering the consumer pockets," Shaboyan said and added that besides the fact that such activities of a number of companies hurt consumers' interests, it also impedes the work of some honest companies which issue and sell similar products.

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