Ruokavirastolle

Ruokavirasto, known in English as the Finnish Food Authority, is a government agency within Finland's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It coordinates and oversees measures related to food safety, animal health and welfare, and plant health, with the aim of protecting public health, ensuring the safety of the food chain, and supporting the agricultural and food sectors. The agency enforces applicable national legislation and EU regulations, and it communicates risk information to the public and to businesses.

Ruokavirasto began operations in 2020 as part of a government reform that merged the former Evira (Finnish Food Safety Authority) with veterinary and plant health duties from other agencies. The creation aimed to unify oversight of food safety, animal health, and plant health under a single authority and to improve coordination across the food system.

Key activities of Ruokavirasto include risk assessment, authorization and licensing, inspections and audits, product sampling and laboratory analysis, and controls on imports and exports. It also conducts disease surveillance, supports emergency responses to animal health threats, and enforces food and veterinary regulations. In addition, the agency provides guidance, training, and information to farms, food businesses, and consumers, and maintains public data on safety standards and compliance.

Organization and operations: Ruokavirasto is led by a Director General and is organized into divisions focusing on food safety and quality, animal health and welfare, plant health, and governance and operations. While headquartered in Helsinki, it operates through regional units and collaborates with regional authorities as well as EU counterparts.

International and EU relations: Within the European Union, Ruokavirasto implements EU legislation, participates in cross-border controls, and cooperates with European and international partners on animal health, plant health, and food safety matters.