Ruokavaliovalvonta

Ruokavaliovalvonta is the monitoring and supervision of diets and dietary services to ensure that foods served are safe and nutritionally adequate and that information about nutrition and allergens is correct. The scope includes institutional meal provision, such as schools, day-care centers, hospitals and elder care facilities, as well as catering contractors and consumer information on nutritional content and diet-related labeling. The aim is to promote public health by ensuring dietary offerings meet national guidelines and by preventing harm from nutritionally inappropriate choices.

In Finland, ruokavaliovalvonta is part of the broader food safety and public health system. The Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) leads national activities, with municipalities carrying out local inspections and monitoring in kitchens and catering operations. The authority also reviews labeling, allergen information, fortification of foods, and adherence to dietary recommendations. The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) contributes to population-level dietary surveillance and data collection that informs policy.

Historically, the supervision of diets and food service quality was the remit of Evira, the Finnish Food Safety Authority, before its functions were reorganized into Ruokavirasto and related bodies.

Methods include on-site inspections and audits of facilities, sampling and laboratory analysis of foods, review of menus and nutrient calculations, and enforcement of corrective actions and penalties where needed. Ruokavaliovalvonta complements nutrition education and policy measures aimed at improving dietary habits and preventing nutrition-related diseases.