elintarvikelaki

Elintarvikelaki, commonly referred to as the Finnish Food Act, is the primary national statute governing the production, distribution, and sale of foodstuffs in Finland. It provides the legal framework that ensures foods placed on the market are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. The act assigns duties to food business operators—from farmers and manufacturers to retailers and processors—and outlines the responsibilities of the competent authorities for supervision, inspections, and enforcement.

The law applies to all stages of the food chain and requires compliance with hygiene and safety standards, appropriate handling and storage, and HACCP-based procedures for applicable activities. It also sets requirements for premises, equipment, cleaning, and waste management and requires registration or authorization of certain establishments.

The act governs consumer information, including labeling, allergen disclosure, and, in line with EU rules, nutrition and origin information for packaged foods. It imposes traceability obligations to identify suppliers and destinations throughout the supply chain and prescribes procedures for withdrawals or recalls of unsafe products.

National authorities, such as the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto), carry out inspections, risk assessments, and enforcement actions. The elintarvikelaki implements and complements European Union food law, aligning Finnish rules with EU regulations on safety, hygiene, labeling, and market oversight.

Since its initial enactment, the act has been amended several times to reflect EU legislative updates and Finland’s governance reforms in food safety.