Damascus-SANA
The Minister of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection, Talal Al-Barazi, confirmed that the freezing of the decision related to the controls and specifications of “semi-dairy and cheese” products comes within the new consumer protection law and the expansion of its study more with the relevant authorities, taking into account the concerns of some consumers, stressing that the use of hydrogenated oils is completely rejected because of their Adverse effects on health.
Al-Barazi explained in an exclusive interview on Al-Souria channel this evening that this decision is among dozens of decisions related to the good implementation of Legislative Decree No. 8 containing the Consumer Protection Law and adherence to the basic issues related to the health and protection of citizens in terms of price or composition of the material, pointing out that thus it is The process of follow-up to specifications and control is clear to the consumer, who has the right to be concerned when there is doubt about the components of the substance and its side effects.
Al-Barazi stressed that the use of hydrogenated oils is completely rejected because it has side effects that are harmful to health, especially in the context of its use in the manufacture of materials that are considered types of cheese, labneh and the like, pointing out that “legislating this issue accurately and explaining it to the consumer and clarifying it after careful study may lead to the same points that We reached it because in the end it is a scientific topic, but it explains more the extent of the damage and the distinction between hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated oils.”
Al-Barazi indicated that after the issuance of Decree No. 8, it became strictly required that the producer or importer declare accurate data proving the nature of the substance, its composition and the components of the product, and if these specifications were not present on the product, it is considered one of the grave violations punishable by law, pointing out that the World Food Code confirmed that All products that contain powdered milk, in addition to vegetable oils and hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated vegetable margarine, may not be called cheese, and many countries have adopted the formula “similar to dairy and cheese” and emphasized that this label should be written on the product.
Al-Barazi pointed out that semi-dairy and cheese products have been in the market for a long time, and the decision was for regulation and oversight. Finance has become severe in this regard.
Al-Barazi stressed that the main goal is to confirm that this particular industry should stay away from hydrogenated oils, considering that they have health damage, while non-hydrogenated vegetable oils that are extracted as liquid can contain great benefits for public health, indicating that all decisions take into account the approved Syrian standard, which Correspond to the measurements and characterization of the universal diet.
Al-Barazi pointed to a significant decrease in the percentage of violations, about two months after the issuance of Decree No. 8, in which the penalties were tightened, especially in the context of serious violations or violations involving fraud or assault on subsidized materials, theft of flour or playing with weights and the failure to announce prices, pointing out that there are An acceptable commitment, and this gave positive results on controlling the market process, stressing that the purpose of the decree is not to impose penalties or violations, but rather to comply, as there is now a 90 percent commitment to announcing the price.
Regarding the process of receiving wheat, Al-Barazi said that the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Grain Conference set the price of a kilo of wheat at 800 Syrian pounds plus 100 pounds equivalent to delivery, i.e. 900 Syrian pounds per kilo. The value of the wheat is paid directly through the Agricultural Bank within 48 hours of the delivery process, and this matter is continuing.