VILNIUS, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania officially asked five multinational food companies on Friday to explain why they apply what the country considers double standards for food supplied to Lithuania and other European Union (EU) countries.
The letter has been sent by the country's State Consumer Rights Protection Authority (VVTAT).
"We have selected specific products and are asking the producers to explain why the composition of certain goods in Lithuania is different than in other EU member states," Irma Gudziunaite, Lithuania's deputy minister of justice, was quoted as saying in a statement by the ministry.
But the statement did not identify the companies or the products at issue.
Gudziunaite has warned that if explanations from the companies would not be "solid and convincing," the country would start an investigation regarding "unfair commercial practices" leading to potential fines of up to 100,000 euros (109,800 U.S. dollars).
According to the Lithuanian Justice Ministry, the "questionable products" have been picked based on recommendations from the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) that had analyzed potentially "unhealthy" ingredients, such as palm oil, and the most visible differences of the same products sold in other EU countries.
VVTAT requires the companies to respond by the end of October. Enditem
