The use of prohibited additives in products has become more frequent in the Russian Federation

Russian producers of MEAT and dairy products are increasingly using a prohibited additive, microbial transglutaminase (mTG), to increase the volume of products. it is popularly called “meat glue”, as it is able to connect incompatible food proteins, shorten the manufacturing cycle by 10 times and, thus, reduce costs.

Microbial transglutaminase is an enzyme of the transglutaminase family produced by some microorganisms that modifies the structure of protein molecules. Under its influence, pieces of muscle tissue are combined into a monolithic product similar to ham. The enzyme affects both animal proteins and proteins of plant origin. In RUSSIA, the use of this additive is prohibited from January 1, 2020. Its use is also not permitted on the territory of the EAEU .

According to the warnings of ROSSELKHOZNADZOR , Rospotrebnadzor and statistics from the services themselves, in 2023 there were 25 such cases, which is twice as many as in 2022. And in the first half of 2024, according to the register of inspections, operated by the Prosecutor General’s Office, 28 have already been recorded.

“According to current legislation, microbial transglutaminase is not included in the list of food additives permitted for use in production. This enzyme is used by unscrupulous manufacturers in the production of cheeses, yogurt, cottage cheese, and meat products in order to increase weight by up to 25% due to moisture retention, as well as to combine (“gluing”) animal and plant proteins, which is what manufacturers use,” explained the press service of Rospotrebnadzor.

They emphasized that in this regard, constant monitoring of the quality and safety of food products is carried out.

“Every year, Rospotrebnadzor , based on modern laboratory centers, examines about 2 million samples of food products for more than 7.5 thousand indicators, including microbial transglutaminase. In 2023, it was found in 25 samples - dairy, meat, poultry processed products and products for children nutrition, which is two times higher than in 2022,” said Rospotrebnadzor.

This year, according to the register, such an additive was also found in the products of Dubki Plant LLC, Atyashevsky Meat Processing Complex LLC, Altaiskaya Burenka LLC, Mitek Meat Processing Plant LLC, Ostankino Meat Processing Plant JSC, JSC "Bryansk Meat Processing Plant", LLC PC "Iceberg-Lux" and other enterprises. 

The situation was brought to the attention of the Public Consumer Initiative, which conducted market research and found out that although such an additive is prohibited for use in Russia, today it is on free sale. In this regard, OPI sent an appeal to the Prosecutor General's Office with a request to seize this product and block the Internet resources selling it.