MOSCOW, September 12 (RAPSI) – About 8,000 tons of sanctioned food products have been destroyed in Russia since August 2015, the Federal Customs Service and Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) announced on Monday.

As of September 12, 2016, 7,818 tons of contraband plant food products were seized, 7,672 tons of which were destroyed; also 256 tons of products of animal origin were destroyed while 337 tons were busted in total, the statement reads.

President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order on economic measures to ensure security of the Russian Federation and a government resolution on destroying banned food imports in late July 2015.

According to the document, the goods may be destroyed by any legal means that do not violate environmental regulations. The confiscated food must be eliminated regardless of whether the owner or import organizer is known. The presidential executive order validating the decision came into effect on August 6.