Russia Smacks Down On Another American Item

First, Russia made the move to close down its eight Wendy's locations. Now, a Russian consumer protection agency is making moves to suspend imports of "Kentucky Gentleman" bourbon.

Watchdog agency The Rospotrebnadzor announced Monday on its website that signs of the organic chemicals called phthalates were found in the bourbon.

The presence of phthalates in the bourbon present a possible threat to imbibers' nervous and endocrine systems, and also may cause cancers and reduce fertility, according to a statement posted on Rospotrebnadzor's website.

"As of now we are talking about this distillery only," a spokesman said, referring to the U.S. Barton 1792 Distillery where Kentucky Gentleman is made.

To all those fast food lovers and now Kentucky Gentleman bourbon lovers, let's just say that you most likely won't be able to find some of your favorite American items on your next trip to Russia — not that you're probably planning on going anytime soon.

UPDATE: After the bourbon ban was announced, Moscow went a lot farther, imposing a one-year ban on all imports of meat, fish, dairy, fruits, and vegetables from the U.S., the European Union, non-Union member Norway, Canada, and Australia, in response to sanctions imposed on Russian by the West to punish the country for its agression in Ukraine.