A long-discussed initiative to allow the use of expired food in feed and, possibly, pet food production has received new lease of life in Russia, as a group of lawmakers registered a bill that would alter existing veterinary standards and pave the way for millions of tonnes of spoiled food to reach feed mills.
In particular, the legislators assumed that low-quality bakery and confectionery products, as well as those with expired shelf life, can be safely used in feed production.
Technologies for processing expired food products into feed-grade raw materials have already been developed and are well-known, the legislators said in an explanatory note to the bill. In the livestock industry, the additional raw materials are called to “expand and stabilise feed supply,” the lawmakers added.
Past food waste feed attempts
This is not the first time Russian lawmakers have pushed forward the initiative to allow the use of food waste in feed production.
In 2020, a similar bill was registered in the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament, though it eventually failed to become law. At that time, the legislators estimated that every year, around a third of all food, equal to 17 million tonnes, produced for human consumption in Russia is wasted.
The existing veterinary regulations technically don’t prohibit the use of expired food products in feed production, however, do make this practice economically unjustified. Proponents of the bill argue that it prevents millions of tonnes of valuable raw materials from entering the supply chain.
Pet food industry voices concern
Several Russian business organisations have spoken against the initiative. For example, the Russian Union of Pet Business Enterprises warned that the new bill technically allows the use of food waste in feed and pet food production.
Pet food manufacturers warned that the initiative could jeopardize the supply chain, as there is currently no real opportunity to ensure that food waste, which often has varying quality, is safe.
“Using expired or low-quality ingredients can lead to illness and even death,” the organisation claimed.
The Russian feed industry community previously voiced similar fears, pointing out that it is virtually impossible to ensure the safety along the supply chain if food waste is allowed to enter it.
Next steps
The bill is scheduled for discussion during the Russian State Duma’s spring session.
