The introduction of mandatory labeling for meat products is expected to curb illegal trade and provide consumers with comprehensive information. However, experts warn that this new regulation could significantly harm businesses.
The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed implementing mandatory labeling for packaged meat products, potentially beginning on August 1, 2026. The rollout is envisioned in several stages.
According to the ministry`s press service, registration for participants in the “Chestny Znak” (Honest Mark) labeling system will commence on March 1. By August, mandatory labeling will apply to a range of meat products, including offal and derivatives of animal fat. From October 1, sausage products will also fall under the mandatory labeling requirement.
A voluntary experiment to test the meat product labeling system is planned, though the document does not specify the timeline for this pilot program.
Yulia Panferova, Chairwoman of the National Union of Meat Processors, considers this measure excessive:
Yulia Panferova, Chairwoman of the National Union of Meat Processors:
“While we support market transparency, we believe that introducing labeling now will create insurmountable barriers for us and negatively impact not only businesses but also consumers. Firstly, it`s overly complex for our diverse industry, which includes thousands of product types. We produce goods in various packaging and casings. Our sector is far more intricate than, for example, the dairy or tobacco industries, requiring us to devise customized labeling approaches for each product group, casing type, and packaging format. We anticipate costs will be significantly higher than in the dairy or tobacco sectors. We already utilize `Mercury,` a traceability system that tracks products from raw materials to the final item. We view `Chestny Znak` as a redundant system that will merely impose excessive administrative burdens. Crucially, small businesses, particularly traditional retail, which accounts for about 40% of the market (and even more in regions), simply won`t be ready for digitalization. This means butchers and small shops won`t be able to afford 1C licenses, scanners, and printers. There`s a risk of widespread closures. We also fear that some unique products might disappear from shelves. Now is not the time for new expenses; with tax burdens increasing from 2026, the simultaneous introduction of labeling would be a double blow to us and to traditional trade.”
Individual item-level tracking of meat products through the labeling system is planned for implementation within three years. The Ministry of Industry and Trade anticipates that “the labeling of meat products will help reduce the volume of illegal product circulation.” According to the department`s data, the share of illegal meat product trade in Russia stood at 18% in 2024.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth