Four trucks containing Valio’s lactose-free products were stopped at the Russian border over issues with certification – the latest setback for the Finnish dairy in a major export market.

Valio said the trucks, containing products including lactose-free milk drink Eila, lactose-free yoghurt and lactose-free cottage cheese, were halted on Wednesday (27 August). The company said it was informed that, according to the Russian border veterinarian authority, its manufacturing plants must be certified for lactose-free products.

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The incident is another blow for Valio, which axed jobs at its Finnish plants in the wake of Russia’s ban on EU dairy imports among other goods.

Last week, Moscow eased the embargo and allowed in lactose-free products, giving what appeared to be a boost to companies including Valio.

A spokesperson for Valio told just-food today (29 August) trucks had started their return journey to its plant in Lappeenranta.

Valio did not comment on whether they would seek certification for their lactose-free factories in order to export products to Russia.

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