Russian retailers remove Georgian-made Coca-Cola and Nabeghlavi from sale

Russian retailers have begun removing selected Georgian-made drinks following an order from Rospotrebnadzor. The products include Coca-Cola, Nabeghlavi mineral water and alcohol from several producers, RBC reported on October 10.

Auchan confirmed receiving the notice and told RBC that all products listed in it had been removed from its stores. Stanislav Bogdanov, chairman of the Association of Retail Companies, also confirmed the order. He said member chains had begun withdrawing the products.

According to RBC, Rospotrebnadzor temporarily prohibited imports and sales as a sanitary measure. The regulator said the drinks failed requirements covering organoleptic and physicochemical characteristics, as well as safety indicators.

Alongside Georgian-made Coca-Cola and Healthy Water’s Nabeghlavi, the restrictions cover wines from Teliani Valley, Tbilvino and Wineman, wine and brandy from Askaneli Brothers, and beer from Georgian Beer Company.

The withdrawals follow the restriction on circulation of the specified products. The reports identify particular drinks and producers and do not describe a ban on Coca-Cola from every country of origin.

Retailers said they were implementing the regulator’s decisions promptly and continuing to monitor the situation. RBC did not give a date for lifting the temporary restrictions.