Moscow sanctions reveal the not-so-western products
RUSSIAN sanctions against the West were aimed at removing European products from the shops .
But the move – which followed the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine – has exposed that some brands sold in Russia which have purported to be European are actually Russian.
The Moscow Times compiled a list of products which from their branding, packaging or online presence, give the impression of European origins. The products remain on sale despite the ban as they are not classed as western produce.
Products such as Greenfield Tea – which has a .co.uk website and is registered in Britain but is made by St Petersburg-based tea producer Orimi Trade – are not European despite trading on the concept, it said.
The newspaper said: “On closer inspection, many convincingly European-looking brands are Russian through and through. Their masquerade is a sales tool: to be Italian or English is a signifier of quality, while Russian manufacturers are linked with bad ingredients and dodgy production standards.”
The newspaper said that Lai- mon Fresh, which is listed as one of Russia’s top five fizzy drinks, claims to be produced in Russia’s Tver region under a licence issued by Swiss company Green Me, founded in 1993. According to an investigation, Switzerland has no such drink, and the company was set up by Russians.
Russian firm Umalat produces Italian cheeses under the Unagrande brand, with packaging which is made to look Italian.