Food safety and control

The purpose of food control is to ensure the safety of foodstuffs and that the information provided on the quality and composition of food is correct.

The safety and high quality of the Finnish food chain is an outcome of good cooperation between different stakeholders. Among the key players are companies and operators in the sector and their organisations, laboratories and local authorities. The Finnish Food Authority leads, guides and develops the work within the administrative branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to ensure the safety and high quality of the food chain. The aim is that the control activities are effective, efficient, harmonised, and targeted according to risk all through the food chain.

The Finnish Food Authority is responsible for the prediction, prevention and management of risks associated with food and risks related to plant health and agricultural production, and for promoting animal health and welfare.

The public authorities participating in the work to ensure the safety and high quality of the chain from Field to Fork are the local governments, Regional State Administrative Agencies, Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira), Customs, State Department of Åland, and Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK).