Not only palm oil: what is actually added to dairy products.

Every fourth dairy product in Ukraine may be a counterfeit. Industry experts revealed which products are most often faked and what they replace natural dairy fats with.

According to the 'Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine', about 20-25% of the dairy market is shadowy. The most risky products in terms of counterfeiting are those with high fat content: butter, cheese, sour cream, and ice cream. This is reported by Latifundist.com.

'In counterfeit products, dairy fat is replaced not only with palm oil but also with beef and chicken fat, as they are significantly cheaper than dairy fats,' says Vadim Chagarovsky, chairman of the board of directors of the 'Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine'.

The problem is particularly acute in the HoReCa segment. According to experts, most products with fat substitutes are supplied to restaurants, cafes, and hotels.

At the same Time, milk, kefir, ryazhenka, and yogurts are less susceptible to counterfeiting. 'These products have low fat content, and the introduction of substitutes does not provide manufacturers with economic benefits,' Chagarovsky explains.

As for ice cream, today half of this product in Ukraine is produced using milk fat substitutes. At the same time, conscientious manufacturers indicate this on the label.

Experts advise consumers to carefully read the labeling. According to the new law, manufacturers are required to indicate the presence of vegetable fats and oils in the product's composition. However, the problem is that unscrupulous manufacturers often ignore these requirements.

'If the price of a dairy product seems too attractive, it is worth considering. Dairy fat costs about 300 UAH/kg, while its substitutes are half as cheap,' warns Yuriy Myrkєev, head of the state control department of the Main State Food and Consumer Service in Kyiv.

Experts note that the issue of dairy product counterfeiting requires a systemic solution, including strengthening control over production and more severe sanctions for violators.

So far, the best protection for consumers remains careful examination of the product's composition and purchasing goods from verified manufacturers.

Prices for chocolate and other desserts with cocoa will skyrocket.