The current state of normative and legal regulation of diets in the Russian Federation within prevention of non-communicable diseases

Persuading people to stick to healthy diets and providing them with safe and healthy food is a complex medical, socioeconomic, and political task. In Russia, primary incidence of nutrition-related diseases is growing including diseases of the circulatory system (from 17.1 to 38.7 cases per thousand population), endocrine disorders (from 8.5 to 16.6 cases per thousand population), and others, which makes the analysis of legislative mechanisms for providing healthy nutrition and improving prevention of nutrition-related diseases highly relevant. The aim of this study was to systematize valid normative, legal and organizational mechanisms for diet regulation in the Russian Federation and to identify key challenges hindering their optimal implementation. We conducted an analytical review of regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation (2016–2025), official statistics, state reports, and scientific publications. The search for materials was carried out in Russian (eLibrary.ru, CyberLeninka) and international databases using key terms related to diets, quality and safety of food products, and prevention of non-communicable diseases. In Russia, an integrated approach has been formed that combines food safety and diet quality management for prevention of non-communicable diseases. A systemic regulatory mechanism is in place, including technical regulation within the EAEU framework, risk-based supervision, interdepartmental coordination, financial support for the agro-industrial sector, and digital control systems ("Mercury", "Honest Mark"). Within the framework of national projects, monitoring of eating behavior and promotion of healthy diets are being implemented. However, key challenges persist; they are structural dietary imbalance (excess sugar and fats, deficiency of vegetables, fruits, and micronutrients), regional disparities in access to healthy food, a behavioral gap (only 18.7 % adhere to healthy diets although 62.7 % express interest in doing so), as well as growing consumption of ultra-processed foods. The regulatory framework in Russia provides solid foundation for prevention of nutrition-related diseases. Priorities forimproving its effectiveness include working out personalized measures taking into account regional characteristics, further development of nutriciology and nutrigenetics, scaling up inter-sectoral cooperation, as well as strengthening communication and educational efforts aimed at fostering informed dietary choices.