Russia Suspends Sale of Three Types of US Wine

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia’s public health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has banned the sale of three types of US wines, in which the concentration of dangerous chemicals exceeding the standards was found.

The organization said that the ban put due to the "violations of legislation in the field of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population" refers to the dry red wine Geyser Peak Merlot manufactured by Geyser Peak Winery, the sweet white wine Crane Lake Moscato produced by Crane Lake Cellars, and the semi-dry white wine Gnarly Head Chardonnay manufactured by Delicato Family Vineyards.

"Batches of the mentioned American alcoholic products, which were not complying with current legislation, are withdrawn from circulation," Rospotrebnadzor said on its website, adding it will continue with the control and supervision activities in relation to this issue.

Rospotrebnadzor said that the examination has found high concentrations of phthalate chemicals in Gnarly Head Chardonnay, and high levels of both phthalate and bifenazate pesticide in Geyser Peak Merlot and Crane Lake Moscato.

Phthalates are the first class of danger according to the sanitary and toxicological indicators, capable of causing functional, and other organic changes in the central and peripheral nervous system, the endocrine system, as well as to cause cancer and problems with infertility in both men and women.