No evidence substantiating the use of milk from sick animals was found during inspections at four Armenian dairy companies, Armenia’s Food Safety Inspection Body said.

The agency said it regularly conducts inspections at all dairy production facilities in Armenia, both under its annual inspection program and in response to complaints received from consumers.

When violations are detected, the inspection body suspends production at the facility concerned until the deficiencies are corrected. Hazardous batches are also withdrawn from circulation and destroyed.

“Although the Russian side has not yet provided the results of the joint inspections conducted from July 14 to 21 by specialists from Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Rosselkhoznadzor, and the Food Safety Inspection Body at four Armenian dairy companies, we can report that the inspections found no grounds to substantiate the use of milk from sick animals by these facilities or the use of raw materials imported from other countries.

According to the documents presented, the raw materials used in production underwent laboratory testing and were found to be safe.

The inspection body is committed to ensuring that the entire food production chain complies with the requirements established by food safety legislation,” the statement said.

Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, will restrict imports of dairy products from Armenia starting July 27, claiming that local companies used milk from infected animals to manufacture products supplied to Russia.