Säilyvyyslakiin

Säilyvyyslakiin, also known as the shelf-life law, refers to the legal framework governing the expiration dates and sale of perishable goods in Finland. This legislation aims to protect consumer health by ensuring that food products are sold within their safe and optimal consumption periods. The primary law regulating this area is the Food Act (Elintarvikelaki), which mandates that food business operators are responsible for determining and marking the shelf-life of their products.

The law distinguishes between two main types of shelf-life indicators: "best before" (parasta ennen) and "use by" (viimeinen käyttöpäivä). The "best before" date indicates the period during which the food is expected to retain its specific qualities, such as taste and texture, when stored properly. After this date, the food may still be safe to consume, but its quality might have diminished. The "use by" date, conversely, signifies the last day the food can be safely consumed. Consuming food past its "use by" date is generally not recommended due to potential health risks.

Retailers are legally obligated to remove products from sale that have passed their "use by" date. For products marked "best before," retailers may continue to sell them after the date has passed, provided they are still safe and of acceptable quality. However, transparency is key, and consumers should be informed if a product is being sold past its "best before" date. Enforcement of the säilyvyyslakiin is typically carried out by municipal food control authorities and the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto).