For many years, it has been said that expert examination of foodstuffs is the monopoly of the Food Safety Inspection Body, and this has been said when the authorities have liberalized the field. This is what Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan declared in response to a question from a deputy of the Bright Armenia Party during a parliamentary session today.

The MP particularly stated that on January 21, on behalf of the faction, he sent an inquiry to the Food Safety Inspection Body in an attempt to understand which laboratories are conducting expert examination of foodstuffs imported to Armenia. He received an answer, but the answer entailed more questions.

According to the MP, studies were conducted at four organizations, but the distribution of orders for conducting expert examinations is simply disproportionate.

In response, the Prime Minister said he would like to understand what the disproportionateness is conditioned by because, based on his information, this is about interpersonal ties. He also advised the MP to send his information to the law-enforcement authorities.

The Prime Minister also promised that if it becomes clear that there are truly such issues and there are interested officials, they will be punished in the strictest way.