Every consumer has the right to familiarize themselves with the mandatory information about a food product before purchasing it.

If the product is offered in individual packaging, this information must be included on the product label.

But there are certain products, such as sugar, cereals, and pasta, that are offered for sale unpackaged, or their packaging is packaged directly at the point of sale at the consumer's request.

The Law of Ukraine "On Information for Consumers on Food Products" stipulates that a market operator selling such products must provide the following information at the consumer's request:

• name of the food product;
• minimum shelf life or "use by" date;
• any special storage conditions and/or conditions of use (if applicable);
• the name and location of the food market operator responsible for information about the food product, and for imported food products - the name and location of the importer;
• country of origin or place of origin.

The rules for retail trade in food products stipulate that cereals, flour and other loose goods must be reliably protected from precipitation and other external influences. The said rules do not provide for the sale of such products in open containers.

Bulk goods (cereals, flour, sugar, starch, etc.) must be dry, without lumps, uniform in color, with a shine and taste characteristic of each type and variety. Pasta products must be of regular shape, uniform in color, without cracks, crumbs, with a smooth or slightly rough surface.

Be careful when choosing food products, be sure to pay attention to their appearance. If necessary, ask the store administration for the accompanying documents for the product for review. If the appearance or smell of the product causes you concern, it is better to refrain from buying it.

• We remind you that currently the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection of Ukraine may carry out unscheduled inspections based on, in particular, citizens' appeals in the presence of a threat that has a negative impact on the rights, legitimate interests, life and health of a person. If violations are detected, please contact the Department of Trade and Consumer Rights Protection of the Economic Development Department of the Siverskodonetsk City Administrative District for consultations at the email address: uer@sed-rada.gov.ua or the territorial bodies of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection of Ukraine ( https://dpss.gov.ua/sluzhba/teritorialniorgani ).