In 2024, the DOT included a number of safeguards in its contracts to prevent the supply of counterfeit or substandard products. Particular attention is focused on the categories of goods that are most vulnerable to abuse by unscrupulous suppliers – i.e. those where substitution is easiest or most profitable.
In the first quarter, laboratory tests were carried out on such products as peasant butter (fat content 72.5 – 79.9%) and rennet cheese. In the second quarter, the list was expanded to include sausage products: semi-smoked and premium raw smoked sausage. In the third quarter, we plan to test condensed milk and processed cheese.
Sampling and laboratory tests are carried out by the Food Safety Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine in coordination with the DOT. One sample is provided for each contract.
In addition to checking for falsification (the presence of impurities not provided for in TU or DSTU), quality and safety indicators are also analysed: organoleptic, microbiological and physicochemical.
Results of the first half of the year:
Q1 - Dairy products:
- Butter: 23 samples, 7 of which were found to be falsified;
- Hard cheese: 18 samples, 12 of which were found to be falsified.
Second quarter – continuation of research:
- Butter (re-sampling): 14 samples, falsified products were detected in 4 cases;
- Hard cheese (re-sampling): 12 samples, 3 of which were counterfeit, and 4 samples did not meet the quality and safety standards.
Q2 - Sausage products:
- Raw smoked sausage: 10 samples, including 2 cases of non-compliance with the requirements of the Product Descriptions in the Food Catalogue, 3 cases of non-compliance with quality and safety requirements, and 1 case of violation of the Law of Ukraine "On Information for Consumers on Food Products" due to inappropriate labelling.
- Semi-smoked sausage: 11 samples, of which 2 cases of non-compliance with the requirements of the Product Descriptions of the Food Catalogue, 3 samples - non-compliance with quality and safety requirements and 1 case of violation of labelling requirements were recorded.
The DOT continues its systematic work to identify dishonest suppliers and, together with the Ministry of Defence, is developing tools for enhanced control over the quality of food supplied to military units.
