GOST for chak-chak: Laboratory testing of an oriental sweet
The traditional oriental sweet chak-chak is a hallmark of Tatarstan and an integral part of the culinary heritage of the Turkic peoples. It consists of deep-fried pieces of unleavened dough drenched in honey. The dough for chak-chak is made from premium wheat flour and eggs, fried in oil, and then soaked in sweet syrup.
Despite its rich history and connection to oriental national traditions, chak-chak production in Russia was for a long time regulated only by the technical specifications of individual factories, which often led to variations in its composition, quality, and form. The lack of a unified standard for this product allowed producers to use honey substitutes and preservatives, tarnishing the reputation of this natural, popular national treat. Clear criteria regulating the quality of chak-chak, its composition, and the size of its ingredients appeared in 2026, with the introduction of GOST R 72229-2025 "Confectionery Products. Chak-chak. Technical Specifications" in Russia.
"The standard established clear, measurable criteria that take into account modern requirements for the quality and safety of the finished product and eliminate any misleading effects on consumers, who should purchase chak-chak made from natural ingredients, not "questionable" ones," noted Idris Gatin, Deputy Director of the Tatarstan branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "TsOK AIC."
The GOST for chak-chak permits the use of the following raw materials: premium or first-grade wheat flour, edible chicken eggs or egg mixture, natural honey, white sugar, vegetable oil for deep-frying, vanillin, and other permitted flavorings. Important: The fat content of the finished product must be at least 30%, and the total sugar content (calculated as sucrose) must not exceed 30%. These parameters guarantee the dessert's traditional texture and taste.
The standard clearly defines chak-chak as a confectionery product and describes in detail the technological stages of its production, as well as packaging requirements. The document specifies physicochemical parameters, such as moisture, acidity, sugar content, and other parameters.
It is important to note that the GOST standard for chak-chak sets requirements for consumer information: the label must include the ingredients, nutritional value, storage conditions, expiration date, and manufacturer's information. Both classic and glazed chak-chak (covered with chocolate or confectionery glaze), as well as decorated with nuts, dried fruits, or confectionery toppings, are permitted, provided these additives are indicated on the label.
"One of the most important sections of GOST R 72229-2025 'Confectionery Products. Chak-chak. Technical Specifications' is devoted to safety indicators. The document regulates microbiological parameters (mold, yeast, pathogenic microorganisms), toxic element content (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury), pesticide and mycotoxin levels (including aflatoxin B1), and radionuclides (cesium-137, strontium-90)," noted Yulia Shafikova, Deputy Head of the Testing Laboratory at the Tatarstan branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "TsOK AIC."
According to experts, the main goal of the changes is to ensure strict compliance of finished products with the standards for moisture, fat, and total sugar content set forth in GOST. At the same time, the manufacturer must ensure that the accredited laboratory has all the necessary methods, verified equipment, and qualified personnel to conduct the full range of tests required by the new standard—from organoleptic evaluation to determining toxic element and mycotoxin levels.
To guarantee the safety and quality of chak-chak to consumers, samples of the dessert undergo mandatory laboratory testing before being released for sale. Specifically, the testing laboratory tested a sample of chocolate-coated chak-chak produced by a major Kazan manufacturer for compliance with the Customs Union Technical Regulation TR CU 021/2011 "On Food Safety."
The test results confirmed the dessert's compliance with the stated requirements and the requirements of GOST R 72229-2025 "Confectionery Products. Chak-chak. Technical Conditions."