elintarvike

Elintarvike is a Finnish term for any product intended for human consumption. It covers raw ingredients, processed foods, and beverages sold or prepared for consumption, as well as take-away meals and catering supplies. The word is used in regulatory, commercial, and everyday language to distinguish edible products from non-food items such as cosmetics or medicines. In consumer settings, elintarvikkeet include bread, milk, fruit juice, canned vegetables, snacks, and ready meals.

Regulation: food safety in Finland is governed by national and EU law. The production, labeling, and sale of elintarvikkeet are overseen by the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto), and are subject to EU general food law. Key requirements include hygienic production practices (HACCP-based systems), traceability of ingredients, and truthful labeling. Labels must disclose ingredients, allergen information, nutrition declarations, energy content, storage conditions, and the best-before or use-by date. Origin labeling is required in certain cases.

Industry and consumption: the elintarviketeollisuus (food industry) ranges from farming and processing to distribution and retail. The category spans basic staples to prepared foods, dairy, meat, beverages, and confectionery. Consumer safety is ensured through risk assessment, market surveillance, and recall procedures. The term elintarike is more commonly used in official and regulatory contexts, while everyday language might use more specific product names.