In Russia, plans are underway to adjust GOST standards for food products so that shrinking package sizes would not translate into higher prices. Reports from national outlets indicate that the Attorney General’s Office is overseeing the issue, with discussions aimed at introducing uniform packaging requirements for manufacturers. The recommendation from the Attorney General’s Office favors using only integer values on packaging, such as 1 kg or 1 liter. This move is framed as a way to stabilize prices while keeping food affordable and accessible for consumers.
Experts highlight that rising production costs, coupled with limited purchasing power, contribute to smaller packaging. Yet, they note that firms are not breaking the law when they print the stated volume and weight on containers. Some manufacturers have already reached a limit on how much they can shrink packaging, and there is concern that further reductions could push prices upward instead of lowering them.
Rather than tightening packaging rules, commentators propose alternative strategies. These include lowering value-added tax on essential foods, offering subsidies and preferential loans to producers, and creating a food certification program that targets the most vulnerable groups in society. Such measures aim to protect consumer welfare without triggering price volatility.
Earlier discussions suggested that stores might be allowed to distribute food at no charge in certain contexts, a policy option that remains under consideration as part of broader efforts to ensure food security and price stability for families across the country.