Overview
- Russia’s Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers says supermarket ready-made food effectively functions as public catering and asks to align regulatory requirements.
- The federation argues retailers gain a price edge because stores face looser standards for equipment, premises and processes, creating unfair competition.
- Specific concerns cited include weak separation of production and dining areas, inconsistent sanitary control and a lack of handwashing stations or toilets in store eating zones.
- The Association of Omnichannel Retail Companies called reclassifying such stores under food-service codes excessive, warning of higher costs, reduced choice and noting existing and upcoming GOST norms already regulate in-store culinary operations.
- The State Duma’s press service said it has not received the letter reported by media, and no legal definition of “ready-made food” or legislative action has been announced; RBC said X5, Magnit and Lenta were asked for comment.