The Tide Is Out in Moscow

Are Soap Wars the new Star Wars? It may not have the same magnitude as the Strategic Defense Initiative or more recently, the Ukraine Conflict, but Russia touched a nerve with US soapers today when began removing foreign brands of detergent and washing powder from stores, claiming that they pose health risks.

Today, in a statement, Russia's Consumer Protection Agency said that recent inspections of selected goods by top foreign brands such as Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble have found high levels of toxic ingredients.

Moscow extended its ban earlier this month on selected food imports from the EU and other countries. Russia, however, has not banned the imports of detergent and washing liquid and most of the producers mentioned by the agency have production facilities in Russia.

The companies listed by the consumer protection agency have not immediately reacted to the allegations.