Russia pilots feed additive labelling in bid to curb market fraud

RUSSIA – The Russian government has launched a year-long trial of voluntary labelling for both domestic and imported feed additives, in a bid to combat fraud and improve traceability in its feed industry.

Announced by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the initiative will take effect from September 1, 2025, and run through August 31, 2026. 

During this period, manufacturers and importers will be encouraged, but not yet required, to apply special electronic tags to feed additive products. These tags will store detailed data on the product’s origin, composition, and other key specifications.

The Ministry said the experiment is intended to address a persistent problem on the Russian market: the misidentification of feed additives. 

According to an explanatory note accompanying the reform, products masquerading as feed additives have sometimes turned out to be veterinary drugs or other substances, raising safety and regulatory concerns.

Rosselhoznadzor, Russia’s federal veterinary watchdog, has expressed strong support for the initiative. 

It stated that the labelling system could serve as a tool to “combat fraud along the value chain,” especially by preventing the circulation of unregistered and potentially unsafe products.

Several domestic feed additive manufacturers have also reportedly backed the initiative, though industry-wide support is far from unanimous.

Labelling system proven in other sectors

Russia’s product labelling programme is not new. Since its introduction in 2019, the national labelling system has been extended to various categories, from pharmaceuticals to clothing and tobacco. 

Each rollout typically begins with a voluntary period to allow for industry adjustment before becoming mandatory.

The Centre for the Development of Advanced Technologies, which operates the labelling system nationally, said the initiative has already made significant strides in curbing illegal trade. 

According to a study by the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the share of counterfeit products in some labelled categories dropped from 25% in 2018 to just 8.9% in 2024.

Despite these successes, the feed industry has expressed scepticism about the need for such measures in their sector. Industry representatives argue that fraud involving feed additives is not a widespread issue and question whether the benefits of labelling would outweigh the associated costs.

Previous adopters of the labelling system, such as those in the light industry and pet food manufacturing, have voiced concerns about operational difficulties. 

Complaints have ranged from increased shelf prices due to added costs to technical issues like damage to electronic tags during transportation and equipment malfunctions.

Whether these concerns will hold sway remains to be seen. The Ministry has made clear that the pilot phase will be used to gather industry feedback and evaluate the practicality and impact of the system.

If the experiment proves successful, mandatory labelling for feed additives is likely to follow, a move that would bring the sector in line with other industries already subjected to stricter traceability regulations.

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