Russia's economic troubles have led bread manufacturers to use low-quality wheat, originally intended only as cattle fodder, to bake bread, the head of the country's grain trade union was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying Wednesday.
The low-quality fodder wheat, also known in Russia as “fifth-rate” wheat, is mixed with slightly higher-quality fourth-rate wheat and with additives to make flour that is then used for baking bread at factories, the union's chief Arkady Zlochevsky said, Interfax reported.
“It's no secret to anybody that fodder wheat is being used to produce bread,” he said.
Russia is reportedly drafting amendments to its food-quality standards, which would allow using “fifth-rate” wheat – currently intended only as cattle fodder and for “technical” needs – to make bread. The amendments would “enshrine the actual status quo in official guidelines,” Zlochevsky was quoted by Interfax as saying.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
