The article discusses the methodological problems of research on public law regulation of food safety. The management decisions of the state, acts of Russian legislation, legal practice (legislative, administrative, judicial), legal doctrine and applicable norms of international law in the field under study are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the relationship between administrative and agrarian law, as well as the place of norms ensuring food security in the system of branches of Russian law. On the basis of doctrinal sources and materials of law enforcement practice, the assignment of these norms to a comprehensive public law subinstitute of administrative law is substantiated, the author's definition is formulated and specific measures are proposed to improve legislation in the field of food security and the development of environmental management in the agricultural sector.