Moscow Times
Russian Agency Seeks Ban on Burgers, Ice Cream From McDonald's
McDonald's burgers and shakes may become the latest victims of worsening ties between Moscow and Washington after a Russian consumer watchdog agency accused the U.S. chain of sanitary violations.
A Moscow court told Reuters that a regional branch of the watchdog had asked it to declare production and sales of some McDonald's products illegal after the agency carried out inspections of McDonald's restaurants last June.
McDonald's, which boasts of long lines at its restaurants across Moscow, some of which sit in view of the Kremlin's red walls, said it had not received any complaint from the regulator and had no information about the lawsuit.
"For the 25 years that McDonald's has been working in the Russian market, its main priority has been to provide quality and safe products to our visitors," the company said by email.
The fast-food chain has often become subject to boycotts in various countries as a form of opposition to U.S. actions. In 2003, the French boycotted McDonald's to protest against the war in Iraq.
In April, some Russian politicians called for all McDonald's outlets in the country to be shut after the company closed its restaurants in Crimea, whose annexation by Russia in March triggered U.S. and European sanctions.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russian-agency-seeks-ban-on-mcdonalds-burgers-ice-cre...
