Russia's consumer rights watchdog said Monday that it had imposed a temporary ban on salt imports from a state-owned Ukrainian producer, citing a violation of legislation.
The Rospotrebnadzor watchdog said it had banned salt produced by Artyomsol, which is based in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine where pro-Russian separatists are fighting Ukrainian government forces.
Rospotrebnadzor had previously said it had tightened supervision at the border and in retail chains but had not before imposed any restrictions.
"The study confirmed a violation of requirements under current legislation," Rospotrebnadzor said on its website.
Artyomsol exports salt to 22 countries in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, which groups former Soviet republics. Its annual capacity is more than 7 million tons and it has had an estimated 24 percent share of the Russian market.
