Daily Archives: August 16, 2014

​Russian MPs eye tobacco-like mandatory ‘scare’ packaging for fast food

by

Published time: August 01, 2014 08:07 

 
 
Reuters

Reuters

 

Tags

Health, Law, Russia

If a group of Russian MPs has it their way, soon hamburgers, French fries and soda drinks sold in the country would have mandatory warning of the diverse effects that fast food can have on health, just like on cigarette packs.

The legislation that would put fast food on par with tobacco in Russia is yet to be submitted to the parliament, but the three sponsors of the potential bill say it’s necessary.

“Our consumers have to be informed about the harmful ingredients in products, similar to the measures taken towards cigarettes,” the three MPs told Izvestia newspaper. “Excessive consumption of such products leads to obesity, harms lungs, heart, kidneys and liver.”

“Packaging of such products should have threatening pictures showing the diseases that can be caused by overconsumption of fast food.”

McDonald’s, one of the largest fast food chains in Russia, declined to comment on the possible requirement to put less-than-appetizing pictures on big-mag wraps for the newspaper, saying the company would need to study the actual bill first. But their competitors from the Burger Club chain said the measure would be overkill.

“We are firmly against any warnings and threatening pictures,” said Ksenia Danderya, spokeswoman for the chain’s development department.

Earlier two McDonald’s restaurants in Russia’s Novgorod Region was criticized by the consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, which said some of the products sold there failed their routine quality checks. As the service demanded that violations were stopped, the agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor launched its own investigation into the quality of ingredients used by McDonalds as well as two other large fast food chains, KFC and Burger King.

The Russian authorities appear to have been investing a very high interest into the quality of products imported into Russia from some other countries. For instance, agriculture imports from Ukraine have been practically banned, while those from Poland have been seriously restricted.

Some commenters say that Russia is retaliating for sanctions which those countries imposed against Russia on a call from Washington.

 
 
 

Comments (73)

 

Carolyn 13.08.2014 19:20

People should stop listening to groups that make claims without clinical evidence.
The primary cause of obesity today isn’t eating fast foods but lack of exercise. Instead of playing outdoors, bike rides or walks after school or meals kids are more likely sit down & play a computer game & adults sitting in front of the TV.
If you compare obesity levels 1970-1990 to 21st century you’d find the increase in obesity is directly proportional to the decrease in exercise due to increased access to digital games.

 

Jenny White 04.08.2014 09:43

You are so right, Resistance32, the image is truly scary!

 

Resistance32 03.08.2014 11:50

The image of Ronald McDonald should be scary enough to tell you not to eat this filth.

 

Jenny White 03.08.2014 10:21

Education, education, education. An enlightened person will not touch that rubbish. Then Golden Arches go out of business and the proverbial Bob is your uncle. Better to put the skull and bones symbol on all radiation emitting smart phones and tablets which are much more dangerous than smoking. Make radiation free zones where people can sit and have a coffee without having their internal organs fried.

 

FUTURE 03.08.2014 08:15

Russia urgently needs to stop the US-hamburger mafia and at the same time stop importing products made or harvested in the EU which can also be bought elsewhere, e.g. China or Brazil.
It’s the normal human reaction to being malevolently turned into a outcast by a bunch of Western warmongerers.

 

Roman Najcher 02.08.2014 18:13

I don’t understand this statement. They are killing people already. Overkill? Is there a limit where kill becomes Overkill, I’m lost in the logic of this statement, please enlighten my stupid (two M.SC degrees) soul.

 

Robert Michael Balloid 02.08.2014 14:08

Food in the USA is thrown at the public though all kinds of Marketing. The whole culture is to eat like pigs and become fat

 

US’ian 02.08.2014 10:20

If Americans are dumb enough to eat that stuff, they deserve bellies like the one pictured on the fries laced with oil,sugar and salt. I sugestt sending those fast food chains to Israel instead of $billions and arms.

 

John Sinclair 02.08.2014 09:21

Long overdue move. We should do that in the West but given how much the fast food lobby gives to politicians it will never happen. Corruption is endemic in the West unfortunately.

 

Armen Abulyan 02.08.2014 08:59

Sein Clearly 02.08.2014 06:50

Ye s, I can see a problem there. The americans would start becoming healthier.

  

Yes, Russia can’t sleep for Americans, that’s how much they worry for Americans.

 

Dr. Bernhard Junk 02.08.2014 07:40

I can only certify this measure. whenever I eat such things my stomache rumors for hours and after enjoying the meals in the beginning ,there is an ugly taste in the mouth for hours afterwards.

 

Sein Clearly 02.08.2014 06:50

steve 02.08.2014 04:03

Can you imagine Russians putting fast food outlet all over the USA they would not let it happen .

  

Ye s, I can see a problem there. The americans would start becoming healthier.

 

S.E. Shpakova 02.08.2014 06:12

Also forgot…
Add crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of sugar and and caraway seeds to sauce. Bake well in slow temp until meat is well cooked, 3hrs at least. Is even more favorful the next day and will freeze well with no ill effects. I’m telling you this IS the best golubtsi I ever had! Thank you Grandma!

 

S.E. Shpakova 02.08.2014 06:06

steve 02.08.2014 04:03

Can you imagine Russians putting fast food outlet all over the USA…

  

Haha, would love it, how about McGolubtsi’s? Actually, there are pierogi drive-thru’s in Alberta, Canada. But the place I ordered from had some freaky-golubtsi only stuffed with cabbage and mushrooms? No meat at all. Not like my grandmas recipe!
1 head cabbage – cooked and leaves separated.
1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/2 lb ground veal
1/4 lb sausage
2 cups rice
1 egg
Salt, pepper, paprika (I add a dash of cayenne)
Mix well, stuff cabbage leaves tightly. Bake in tomato sauce and sauerkraut.

 

steve 02.08.2014 04:03

Can you imagine Russians putting fast food outlet all over the USA they would not let it happen .

 

steve 02.08.2014 03:53

Should put a trade band on American companies altogether trading in Russia and it would be about time .

 

Freesaxon 01.08.2014 23:53

Good move healthwise & politically.

 

Nigel Hedley 01.08.2014 20:23

. . . ever watched “Man -v- Food”? MacDonalds is healthy by comparison

 

Nigel Hedley 01.08.2014 20:17

Bubba Joe 01.08.2014 14:55

Im going to break this down, for the slower folks posting from America and the UK…These are strategic and geopolitical advancements, that are intended on hurting the financial earning from American companies. Such as McD’s, BK, Starbks and so on….The US put sanctions on Russian companies and individuals, now they are going to strike back, however, they chose to strike at the master instead of the dog.

  

. . . as a slow folk from UK, it would never had occurred to me!

 

John Cunliffe 01.08.2014 20:01

This is waht fast food and GMO should be labled like all over the world….poison, eat at your own risc.

 

John Cunliffe 01.08.2014 19:59

Adolf Hitler 01.08.2014 18:04

I officially endorse this policy. After all we Nazis were the original pre-Greens. Animal rights, human rights aside of jews of course, but that was silly mistake, healthy youth, soy burgers for soldiers, tobacco ban, mineral waters, herbal remedies, all that new age mumbo jumbo, we had it!

  

LMAO, you don’t have much grasp on history do you. Hitler was a nationalistic very religious ultra conservative who had more in common with todays tea party then with any other political direction in the US.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 19:39

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 19:36

Dri nking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication

  

Ev ery bottle of water should have WARNING the Surgeon General has determined that drinkng too much water can be harmful to ones health, especially children.

I am commenting on my country of course, Russia it’s your country put whatever warning or do not put any warning that you want. That’s what sovereignty is all about and it is none of my business to tell your people what to do.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 19:36

Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication and to a related problem resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. Water intoxication is most commonly seen in infants under six months of age and sometimes in athletes. A baby can get water intoxication as a result of drinking several bottles of water a day or from drinking infant formula that has been diluted too much. Athletes sweat heavily, losing both water and electrolytes. Water intoxication and hyponatremia result when a dehydrated person drinks too much water without the accompanying electrolytes..

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 19:32

Adolf Hitler 01.08.2014 18:04

I officially endorse this policy. After all we Nazis were the original pre-Greens. Animal rights, human rights aside of jews of course, but that was silly mistake, healthy youth, soy burgers for soldiers, tobacco ban, mineral waters, herbal remedies, all that new age mumbo jumbo, we had it!

  

He is right, the Nazis did. And they were really into physical fitness too. Remember those videos of shirtless young arian men doing calisthenics?

Tyranty “for ones own good” is still Tyranty. Liberalism is fascism with a happy face sticker.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 19:28

Alex Ramsey 01.08.2014 18:25

Excellent idea!! I dont know how people can eat junck food like Mcdonnalds,Burger king etc. DO they know what is in it?? Has anybody dared to examin and poblish the trurth about them??

  

What is so bad with meat cheese bread, etc? Over eatting such stuff is bad. But then again drinking too much water is bad too.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 19:26

Alex Ramsey 01.08.2014 18:25

Excellent idea!! I dont know how people can eat junck food like Mcdonnalds,Burger king etc. DO they know what is in it?? Has anybody dared to examin and poblish the trurth about them??

  

Yes, yes they have. Even did a puedo documentary on it. So the information is out there. People use their freedom to choose what to do with the information. Freedom means freedom to make wrong decisions and pay the consequence for them.

 

Alex Ramsey 01.08.2014 18:25

Excellent idea!! I dont know how people can eat junck food like Mcdonnalds,Burger king etc. DO they know what is in it?? Has anybody dared to examin and poblish the trurth about them??

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 18:13

Robert Lassen 01.08.2014 17:54

One only has to look at the massively overweight and often young US citizens to realise that the fast food they eat is creating many millions of fat and useless citizens.

  

Us eless to whom? You act like government owns us. Well it is supposed to be the other way around.

Oba macare creates social costs for poor decision making. Indeed in a free country, people should be allowed poor choices, but along with that they should have to suffer the consequences of their bad decisions.

Otherwise we become a “Nanny State” and liberty suffers.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 18:10

Robert Lassen 01.08.2014 17:54

One only has to look at the massively overweight and often young US citizens to realise that the fast food they eat is creating many millions of fat and useless citizens.
Perhaps this is what the US government wants. An unhealthy and often out of work electorate is easier to control by the Para Military US Police.

  

The food is healthy. Eating too much of the food (or any food) is what isn’t.

But people have the right to be unhealthy. Others shouldn’t pay for their poor choices, but they have the right to be unhealthy and to die young.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 18:08

Robert Lassen 01.08.2014 17:54

One only has to look at the massively overweight and often young US citizens to realise that the fast food they eat is creating many millions of fat and useless citizens.
Perhaps this is what the US government wants. An unhealthy and often out of work electorate is easier to control by the Para Military US Police.

  

Freedom itself wll produce a lot of fat and useless citizens. Freedom means the freedom to choose poorly. But the productive citizens, they are indeed the best in the world which makes up for all the losers!

 

Robert Lassen 01.08.2014 17:54

One only has to look at the massively overweight and often young US citizens to realise that the fast food they eat is creating many millions of fat and useless citizens.
Perhaps this is what the US government wants. An unhealthy and often out of work electorate is easier to control by the Para Military US Police.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 16:34

BannedFrmHuffP ost 01.08.2014 16:07

Business does not like thier pretty propaganda to be sullied by the ugly truth.

  

Commenting from a US perspective there’s nothing wrong with McDonalds food (in the US at least). Like anything sure, it can be abused but meat, bread, vegetables sounds healthy to me especially for someone who just needs a quick meal on the go.

Look, you can die from drinking a huge amount of water too. Warning labels for water?

But like I said, sovereignty dictates that the citizens of each society get to decide such matters for themselves. Not my place to tell Russia.

 

BannedFrmHuffPost 01.08.2014 16:07

Business does not like thier pretty propaganda to be sullied by the ugly truth.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 15:38

NJP Grobler 01.08.2014 11:04

defending free will and freedom of choice that all people of Earth deserves,

  

Ir onically freedom of choice means freedom to have laws like this as a society. Too many people want all societies to be exactly alike.

Free dom is something members of each society must fight for and define for themselves. They can’t have others do it for them.

Now if this was an action of the US gov. You would hear me complain. I don’t even like how they are forced to list calories along with prices. But here I must hold my tongue realizing that this is a different culture.

 

steve churchill 01.08.2014 15:32

george sidi, imé well aware people have to eat, but why “junk” food, is it because healthy food has less profit, an all this at the expence of peoples health, for greedy corporations…

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 15:29

Jose Diaz Guevara 01.08.2014 13:46

I think Russia shouldn’t ban the fast food and soft drinks wouldn’t work, they should make aware to the consumers the danger of eating this rubish, put signs in each pack or container like are doing with cigarrets pack , fas food like Mcdonalds and Soft drinks coca cola are slowly killing millions of people world wide, to much obese people.

  

It’s not really for you to say. This is a Russian internal matter so only Russians really should have a say in this. To comment on what is an internal matter for Russia is highly rude.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 15:28

bruce-wayne 01.08.2014 14:48

Very proactive. This type of labelling is exactly what the World needs.

Good for Russia.

  

That’s not for an outsider to say. This is an internal matter for Russia.

 

george sidi 01.08.2014 15:13

steve churchill 01.08.2014 14:43

no t everything is about money! the health of the people comes first, ten years of this junk and it will cost a lot more than 10´s of millions…

  

People still have to eat, they just wont eat McD or KFC or BK, they will go elsewhere. Duh!!!!!

 

Bubba Joe 01.08.2014 14:55

Im going to break this down, for the slower folks posting from America and the UK…These are strategic and geopolitical advancements, that are intended on hurting the financial earning from American companies. Such as McD’s, BK, Starbks and so on….The US put sanctions on Russian companies and individuals, now they are going to strike back, however, they chose to strike at the master instead of the dog. America is run by corporate greed and lobbyist that represent Investment LLC’s and so on…You cant attack the banks, so attack the companies that make the most for the banks, then watch them change their actions.

 

bruce-wayne 01.08.2014 14:48

Very proactive. This type of labelling is exactly what the World needs.

Good for Russia.

 

steve churchill 01.08.2014 14:43

Tommy Udo 01.08.2014 14:00

McD’s should just saw s crew you and leave Russia. Let’s see how Russia enjoys losing tens of millions of dollars in in tax revenue. Russia is becoming more isolated.

  

no t everything is about money! the health of the people comes first, ten years of this junk and it will cost a lot more than 10´s of millions…

 

Jason G 01.08.2014 13:50

This is the best idea i have heard in a while… I think America needs this more than any other country

 

Jose Diaz Guevara 01.08.2014 13:46

I think Russia shouldn’t ban the fast food and soft drinks wouldn’t work, they should make aware to the consumers the danger of eating this rubish, put signs in each pack or container like are doing with cigarrets pack , fas food like Mcdonalds and Soft drinks coca cola are slowly killing millions of people world wide, to much obese people.

 

Mark 01.08.2014 13:13

Russia must also ban importing food from countries which are openly and aggressively Russophobic.

 

Mark 01.08.2014 13:10

Very good! Do it as quickly as possible.

 

worrienie 01.08.2014 12:25

Don’t forget to boycott Coca Cola and all other US drinks.
They are a enemy of Russia and their people, also very unhealthy stuff to drink.

 

Dicio Est 01.08.2014 12:17

mayarodina 01.08.2014 09:54

Russians have always had excellent health, there are very few fat girls and children, but feeding them with that cr-ap is only setting the seeds for producing obese and ill population. Shame on you Putin for allowing that ru-‘bbish.

  

lol wrong, in 2012 about 25% of Russians were fat. Was this a Western propaganda source who reported it? Actually it was, Nutrition Institute at the Russian Academy of Sciences, so Russia itself said it.

 

USAproRussia 01.08.2014 11:36

Fast food is poison and people she know its devastating effects just like cigarettes.

If people still want to eat it, thats their choice.

 

Serge Golon 01.08.2014 11:08

What’s your BMI , dude?

[quot e name=’Sid Fredrickson’ time=’01.08.2014 10:57′]

As a Russian do what you feel is best for your society. Leave other societies out of it.[/quote]

 

NJP Grobler 01.08.2014 11:04

[quote name=’Sid Fredrickson’ time=’01.08.2014 09:36′]

[/q uote]

Don’t get me wrong, I am not defending McDonalds or any other form of plastic, artificial rubbish that passes for food, I am merely defending free will and freedom of choice that all people of Earth deserves, even if they are too stupid to use it properly sometimes. I have thrown all my support behind Russia for obvious reasons and, would like to see them show the world what a real free world can be like. Even if I support them strongly, I can raise some criticism as well from time to time, they won’t censor me for it like in the US’s “free world”.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 10:59

Serge Golon 01.08.2014 10:54

higher medical costs

  

Higher medical costs only effect those who have to pay them. Not the society at large. Unless….

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 10:57

Serge Golon 01.08.2014 10:54

F This in turn lead to increased costs to said society in form of higher medical costs and many other similar costs thrown upon society while businesses as usually only take profits while dumping associated costs upon majority.

  

As a Russian do what you feel is best for your society. Leave other societies out of it.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 10:55

dorian gray 01.08.2014 10:11

When Ronald McDonald suffers, America suffers.

  

Uh , no, when McDonald’s suffers, McDonald’s stock goes down. That’s the only effect it has.

Then they will adjust to the new situation, put resources elsewhere and eventially the stock will go up again.

 

Serge Golon 01.08.2014 10:54

Fast food industry owes billions upon billions to society for ruining health of large percentages of citizens.
Governments, for the sake of economy, let this type of businesses to prolifirate when fast food is one of major contributors to health issues among population. This in turn lead to increased caosts to said society in form of higher medical costs and many other similar costs thrown upon society while businesses as usually only take profits while dumping associated costs upon majority.

 

Serge Golon 01.08.2014 10:50

Just ban this garbage and close all joints.

 

dorian gray 01.08.2014 10:11

good for health and good retaliatory measure against the US is hit back McDonalds. When Ronald McDonald suffers, America suffers.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 10:10

Many giant profitable U.S. corporations are increasingly abandoning America while draining it at the same time.

Gener al Electric, for example, has paid no federal income taxes for a decade while becoming a net job exporter.

W hy do I bring this up, all this outsourcing and tax invasion that these Mult-National Corps do? Well it is hard to get patriotic by all these US started Multi-Nats. when they clearly believe patriotism is for saps.

So, sorry MickieD’s And BK you are on your own.

Beside s, my belief in sovereignty means I couldn’t interfer if I wanted to. Their country – their call – regardless of the reason.

 

mayarodina 01.08.2014 09:54

They should with immediate effect ban that rub’-bish company. It is an insult, intolerable attack on Russian people to sell them that garb-age. Haven’t we seen what Americans have become eating that poison? Russians have always had excellent health, there are very few fat girls and children, but feeding them with that cr-ap is only setting the seeds for producing obese and ill population. Shame on you Putin for allowing that ru-‘bbish.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 09:53

“Some commenters say that Russia is retaliating for sanctions which those countries imposed against Russia on a call from Washington. “

Rega rdless, you are just practicing your rights as a sovereign nation, which you should always be allowed to do. NAFTA, GATT, WTO, EU, all those things take away sovereignty and prevents people from acting in what they feel are their best interests.

My loyality is to the United States of America, not McDonalds, not Burger King. When has McDonalds or Burger King showed any loyalty to me or my country?

And regardless, sovereignty must be supported! Their country – their call!

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 09:46

Zalashji 01.08.2014 09:42

Goo d luck with that.

  

Thanks. I know you are being a little sacastic with that comment too, but yeah, I know it will be hard if not impossible to take this country back. Both parties are corrupt at its core. I am not going to vote this year. Not an ideal solution I know, but it seems at this point the best one. When a good candidate comes then I will vote again.

I have to hold out hope though as dim as it is that the Tea Party can succeed. If we do, it will not only be good for America but good for the world to as we will leave the rest of the world alone.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 09:43

Zalashji 01.08.2014 09:35

Yea h, that would never happen in the U.S.

  

Your sarcasm is most valid in this. Our politicians have no concern about what is best for our country. It’s like they live in their own little world.

That ‘s why there’s such a need for the Tea Party.

 

Zalashji 01.08.2014 09:42

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 09:39

Yea h, right.

The Tea Party exists because the politicians in our national capital for too long have been doing stuff against the best interests of the citizens of our nation. We are trying to take our country back from them!

  

Good luck with that.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 09:39

Zalashji 01.08.2014 09:35

Yea h, that would never happen in the U.S.

  

Yeah, right.

The Tea Party exists because the politicians in our national capital for too long have been doing stuff against the best interests of the citizens of our nation. We are trying to take our country back from them!

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 09:36

NJP Grobler 01.08.2014 09:27

People are well aware of the health implications but, it remains their freedom of choice whether to use it or not, no need to force your will on them.

  

Internal matter therefore isn’t something that outsiders should be discussing. We might have our views but really we are projecting what we would feel if something like that happened in our society, not theirs.

We all don’t have to be the same in this world you know. What might be wrong for them might be right for us, or what might be right for them might be wrong for us. We don’t know their culture.

 

Zalashji 01.08.2014 09:35

Ros 01.08.2014 08:47

Unfortunately , all decisions made by Russian MP’s are not aimed on well being of it’s population but only politically motivated.

  

Yeah, that would never happen in the U.S.

 

Sid Fredrickson 01.08.2014 09:31

This is certainly Russia’s right as a sovereign country.

Th is is of course an internal matter which is inappropriate and just plain rude for non Russians to comment on.

Not my country, so not my place to speak. I am sure all the others who posted here must be Russian citizens.

I wonder though if RT posted this article as a way to offend us. If so, you failed. By the way, propaganda isn’t supposed to be about offending your adversary, but to convince your adversary of your viewpoint. Or to somehow intimidate us. This article did neither.

 

NJP Grobler 01.08.2014 09:27

People are well aware of the health implications but, it remains their freedom of choice whether to use it or not, no need to force your will on them. Russia already imposed smoking bans on people without allowing them their democratic right to vote for it, just like their western “partners” did. Any social policy that affects the freedoms and liberties of the people should be voted for by the people, not a handful of politicians, that is just how democracy works. Hard drugs, including alcohol, is a different matter however, since it can have a strong negative and unintentional impact on social and criminal behaviour.

 

steve churchill 01.08.2014 09:20

a foto af the average brit or american should do the trick.

 

Fredrick Da Great 01.08.2014 09:03

Coca-Cola and derivates should have a mandatory label with a clear cancer warning and a picture of internal organs afected bt the disease. special attention should be paid on the matter.

 

Thoughts 01.08.2014 08:50

[quote name=’Ros’ time=’01.08.2014 08:47′]Unfortunately , all decisions made by Russian MP’s are not aimed on well being of it’s population but only politically motivated. Russian laws remain on the paper only, simple observation suggests that tobacco and alcohol still sold easily within close proximity to schools and universities. A 13 yaer old can still easily buy those products without any ID asked.
Same old Soviet mentality….[/quote ]

Only what the West introduced to Russia – nothing to do with Soviet mentality

 

Ros 01.08.2014 08:47

Unfortunately, all decisions made by Russian MP’s are not aimed on well being of it’s population but only politically motivated. Russian laws remain on the paper only, simple observation suggests that tobacco and alcohol still sold easily within close proximity to schools and universities. A 13 yaer old can still easily buy those products without any ID asked.
Same old Soviet mentality….

 

John Smith 01.08.2014 08:40

What a very good idea.

 

comixarma 01.08.2014 08:17

Not a bad idea that.