Russians are dishonestly manipulating a phony cheese in a pizza.
In a recent move to ensure transparency and maintain food safety standards, Russia's consumer protection agency, Rospotrebnadzor, has been actively working to combat the use of fake cheese in pizzas. Maxim Protasov, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, is leading this campaign.
Rospotrebnadzor's efforts to eliminate misleading cheese labeling have been ongoing for two years. The organisation has previously identified dangerous cheese fakes in pizzas from PizzaSushiWok, "Tokyo-City," and "Pizza Empire."
Recently, Rospotrebnadzor purchased "Margherita" pizzas to determine if they contained natural cheese or a cheaper plant-based alternative. The purchased pizzas' labels did not list the presence of plant-based fats in the cheese, misleading consumers about the composition of the cheese in the pizzas.
This lack of label information is a violation of Russia's food labeling requirements, which are part of a broader effort to enhance consumer protection laws and technical regulations concerning food labeling. The new law effective from March 1, 2026, aims to regulate publicly available consumer-facing information about goods and services, including product labels.
Rospotrebnadzor has been monitoring compliance with labeling and technical regulations aimed at truthful representation of products. The organisation carries out inspections to ensure that labels meet mandatory requirements under a state consumer protection control system.
The issue was found in both fresh and frozen pizzas, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement and updated regulations. Specific regulation updates are underway, such as for baby food ingredients and raw materials, under a broader national standardization program to improve food safety and quality.
RIA Novosti has reported on Rospotrebnadzor's efforts to eliminate fake cheese in pizza, underscoring the importance of this issue to both the government and the public. The agency issued a warning regarding the misleading labeling of the pizzas, signaling a firm stance against such practices.
As Russia continues to strengthen its legal framework for food labeling, the fight against fake cheese in pizza remains a key priority for Rospotrebnadzor. The organisation's efforts are part of a broader push for transparency and safety in the Russian food industry.
Rospotrebnadzor's push for transparency and safety extends beyond mere food safety standards, involving a commitment to truthful representation in the health-and-wellness sector. For instance, concealing plant-based fats in cheese products can be misleading for consumers seeking specific diets within the lifestyle category, such as vegan or gluten-free choices, in the food-and-drink realm.
To maintain public trust and ensure a balanced approach to consumer protection, Rospotrebnadzor is actively working towards updated labeling requirements for various products, including baby food ingredients and raw materials, aiming for a more extensive coverage under the national standardization program for improved health-and-wellness.
