Ruokavirasto

Ruokavirasto, the Finnish Food Authority, is a government agency in Finland responsible for food safety, animal health and welfare, and plant health. Its mandate covers the entire food chain from farm to table and aligns with European Union food safety regulations. The agency carries out risk assessment, surveillance, inspections, licensing, and enforcement to ensure that food produced, imported, or sold in Finland meets safety and labeling requirements.

Key functions include supervising food businesses, conducting inspections of production facilities and food processing activities, monitoring labeling and marketing practices, and issuing approvals and certificates for activities such as meat processing, dairy production, and import/export. It also oversees animal health programs, including disease surveillance, vaccination, and welfare standards in farming, transport, and slaughter. Plant health activities involve monitoring pests and diseases that could affect crops, as well as helping to protect plant resources and agricultural production.

Ruokavirasto works in cooperation with other national authorities (such as customs and veterinary services) and with EU institutions to manage cross-border food safety and plant/animal health issues. The agency publishes guidelines, safety advisories, and annual reports, and provides consumer information on safe food handling and product standards.

History and structure: Ruokavirasto was established in 2016 as the successor to the Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, as part of a government restructuring to streamline oversight of food safety, animal health, and plant health. It operates as a national authority with regional activities and a presence in various regulatory and advisory functions related to food safety and public health.