The Association for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of Kyrgyzstan has issued a call to government institutions, the media, and the public in connection with the emergence of information about the producer LLC 'Rikha' in the public domain.
At the meeting of the Committee of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic on Budget, Economy, and Entrepreneurship, held on January 19, 2026, claims were made that LLC 'Rikha' allegedly had its "license revoked," and issues regarding accreditation and possible violations of "Halal" standards were mentioned. These statements soon received widespread media coverage, which sparked a wave of public discussion and negatively impacted the company's reputation.
In this regard, the Association considers it important to clarify the situation.
1) Currently, LLC 'Rikha' has not received any official notifications (written or oral) from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic or other authorized structures regarding possible license revocations or violations.
2) It is important to correctly understand the terminology. The production and sale of meat products do not require licensing, and private manufacturing companies do not undergo state accreditation, but use product certification.
3) 'Halal' standards represent voluntary certification, and to date, LLC 'Rikha' holds valid certificates issued by authorized organizations from both the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Kazakhstan, including:
4) According to the results of laboratory analyses conducted in an accredited state laboratory, no pork DNA was found in the products of LLC 'Rikha', which is confirmed by the relevant protocols.
The Association emphasizes that the dissemination of unverified information without official clarifications harms not only LLC 'Rikha' but also the entire processing industry. In a situation where state policy is aimed at supporting local production and developing processing, such incidents undermine trust from both consumers and partners.
The Association for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Kyrgyz Republic continuously monitors the situation in the agricultural and processing markets, as well as the information background concerning domestic producers. There have been previous instances where inaccurate or distorted interpretations led to public pressure and reputational risks for businesses and the industry as a whole. Therefore, the Association deems it necessary to clarify the facts and legal aspects of such cases in a timely manner to prevent their recurrence.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that reputational risks affect not only the domestic market; any incorrect public interpretation can quickly spread to neighboring markets and create a negative image for the entire domestic food and processing industry.
The Association appeals to all participants in the discussion to adhere to a responsible approach and publish information only when there are official documents and confirmed inspection results.
The Association also calls on authorized state bodies:
The Association of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Kyrgyz Republic continues to defend conscientious domestic producers and advocates for transparent, documented, and professional communication on issues related to consumer trust and the business reputation of the country.
In this regard, the Association considers it important to clarify the situation.
1) Currently, LLC 'Rikha' has not received any official notifications (written or oral) from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic or other authorized structures regarding possible license revocations or violations.
2) It is important to correctly understand the terminology. The production and sale of meat products do not require licensing, and private manufacturing companies do not undergo state accreditation, but use product certification.
3) 'Halal' standards represent voluntary certification, and to date, LLC 'Rikha' holds valid certificates issued by authorized organizations from both the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Kazakhstan, including:
- Certificate from the Center for the Development of the Halal Industry (Kyrgyz Republic) No. C25;
- 'Halal' Certificate from the Kyrgyz Muslim Administration No. KG 2206/0925;
- Certificate from Halal Damu (Kazakhstan) No. 001295.
4) According to the results of laboratory analyses conducted in an accredited state laboratory, no pork DNA was found in the products of LLC 'Rikha', which is confirmed by the relevant protocols.
The Association emphasizes that the dissemination of unverified information without official clarifications harms not only LLC 'Rikha' but also the entire processing industry. In a situation where state policy is aimed at supporting local production and developing processing, such incidents undermine trust from both consumers and partners.
The Association for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Kyrgyz Republic continuously monitors the situation in the agricultural and processing markets, as well as the information background concerning domestic producers. There have been previous instances where inaccurate or distorted interpretations led to public pressure and reputational risks for businesses and the industry as a whole. Therefore, the Association deems it necessary to clarify the facts and legal aspects of such cases in a timely manner to prevent their recurrence.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that reputational risks affect not only the domestic market; any incorrect public interpretation can quickly spread to neighboring markets and create a negative image for the entire domestic food and processing industry.
The Association appeals to all participants in the discussion to adhere to a responsible approach and publish information only when there are official documents and confirmed inspection results.
The Association also calls on authorized state bodies:
- to provide an official clarification on the current situation;
- to refute inaccurate information if it lacks documentary confirmation;
- to ensure the correct communication of the state's position to the public and the business community.
The Association of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Kyrgyz Republic continues to defend conscientious domestic producers and advocates for transparent, documented, and professional communication on issues related to consumer trust and the business reputation of the country.
