Russia is considering a ban on the import of Sazerac’s Kentucky Gentleman Bourbon from the US, citing toxic chemical contamination.
The plan to ban the bourbon comes close on the heels of imposing a ban on the products from Ukraine and Poland.
The country's consumer protection agency Rospotrebnadzor is said to have found traces of cancer-causing organic chemical phthalates in the bourbon.
Consumption of products contaminated with phthalates may also pose a threat to nervous and endocrine systems.
According to Rospotrebnadzor, the bourbon imports are also not compliant with the Customs Union's technical regulations.
The agency is examining products from the Barton 1972 Distillery, where Kentucky Gentleman is produced. Rospotrebnadzor is currently focusing only on this single product.
The country has banned juice product imports from Ukraine last week for not meeting Customs Union technical regulations, and fruits and vegetables from Poland for containing pesticides.
The moves by Russia are being seen as an answer to the santions imposed on it for its support to the pro-Russian rebels in the ongoing unrest in Ukraine.
