Food control
The objective of food control is to ensure food safety and the accuracy of information provided about the quality and composition of food products.
Organisation
In practice, food control is primarily the responsibility of local authorities. Many local authorities have pooled their food control resources and formed what are known as “co-management areas”. Local authority food control staff include veterinary surgeons, animal health inspectors and food control officers. Food controls are carried out in, for example, food production facilities, restaurants, institutional kitchens and shops.
Role of Regional State Administrative Agencies
Regional State Administrative Agencies’ role is to coordinate local authority food controls. To this end, we carry out various kinds of inspections, such as compliance audits on local authority food control units. The aim is to improve the standard of local authority food control and learn more about the status of regulatory compliance.
Role of the Finnish Food Safety Authority
The Finnish Food Safety Authority is in charge of directing and improving the standard of food control across Finland. The control of non-animal food products imported from the EU and third countries is the responsibility of Finnish Customs. The import of animal-based food products from third countries is controlled by the Finnish Food Safety Authority.
Self-regulation
Food producers have a duty to self-regulate the safety of their products. Most use self-regulation as the basis of their internal production control. Consumers can also help to improve food standards by being vigilant and reporting any irregularities they notice to their local authority.