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Mandatory Labeling of Canned Fish Introduced on December 1

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Tuesday, December 03, 2024, 06:00 (GMT + 9)

As of December 1, the labeling of canned fish has become mandatory in Russia, marking a significant step towards ensuring transparency and fair competition in the fish product market.

135 Producers Registered in Honest Sign System

To date, 135 producers have registered with the Honest Sign labeling system, with over 5.1 million products featuring unique identification codes already on the market. The top six regions leading in the number of labeled canned fish products include Primorsky Krai, Ryazan, Kaliningrad, Moscow Regions, St. Petersburg, and Vladimir Region.

Enhancing Market Integrity and Consumer Confidence

“This initiative is expected to create a more competitive environment for compliant producers," said Ilya Shestakov, head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries. "Regulatory authorities will now be able to monitor every stage of fish product handling, from the catch to the consumer. This will help quickly identify violations, such as substituting high-value canned fish with cheaper alternatives. Importantly, this labeling requirement will not affect the final price, providing consumers with confidence in the quality of the products they purchase.”

Preparation Through Pilot Programs

In preparation for the rollout, a pilot program was conducted last year to test the labeling of caviar and fish products. This allowed companies to establish the necessary processes ahead of the mandate.

Support for Manufacturers

To assist producers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, the government introduced subsidies covering up to 50% of the cost of required equipment. "We allocated approximately 10 million rubles for this purpose based on business requests,” noted Revaz Yusupov, Deputy General Director of the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies.

Yusupov highlighted the positive outcomes of labeling in other sectors: "Labeling has already proven effective in formalizing the caviar market. In just seven months of operation, 71 previously unregistered production facilities have been brought into compliance, significantly reducing the shadow economy in this segment. We anticipate similar results in the canned fish industry."

The initiative reflects Russia's commitment to enhancing market transparency, protecting consumers, and supporting fair business practices.

Source: Federal Agency for Fisheries

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