Russian ketchup maker fined for hiding toxic sulfur dioxide in products

A court ruling exposes dangerous lapses in food safety. How did a major Russian brand let toxic sulfur slip into its ketchup—and what’s next?

, and Administrator

2026 January 18 . 4:44 AM

1 min read

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Russian ketchup maker fined for hiding toxic sulfur dioxide in products

A Russian food manufacturer has been fined for failing to disclose harmful chemicals in its ketchup. The Nizhny Novgorod Oil and Fat Plant PJSC, also known as Agrokomplex Nizhny Novgorod, faced legal action after inspectors found undeclared sulfur dioxide in its product. The case was settled in court earlier this year.

The issue began in December 2021 when Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s consumer watchdog, inspected the company’s ketchup. Lab tests revealed sulfur dioxide levels of 312.6±71.9 mg/kg—far above safe limits. This substance was not listed on the product’s label.

The company argued that the violation was minor and had already been fixed. However, the Arbitration Court of Nizhny Novgorod Region rejected this defence. In its ruling, the court upheld the regulator’s findings and imposed a fine of 100,000 rubles. The ketchup in question was produced in 2021 at the company’s Nizhny Novgorod facility. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of food safety standards in the region.

The fine serves as a reminder of strict labeling laws in Russia’s food industry. Companies must now ensure all additives, including preservatives like sulfur dioxide, are clearly declared. Failure to comply can result in legal penalties and reputational damage.