Sweden’s Risk-Based Prioritization Approach Decreased Number of Food Safety Inspections by 20 Percent
According to a Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) report, a risk classification model introduced in 2024 has reduced the overall number of food safety inspections in Sweden, while increasing oversight of certain large food businesses, including wholesalers and food producers, to better detect and prevent risks earlier in the food supply chain.
The model was developed to help food control authorities determine inspection frequencies based on the risks associated with different food business activities and operations.
Per the Swedish Food Agency, the number of planned food safety inspections has decreased by approximately 20 percent, from 75,000 to 60,000 annually. Most food businesses now receive fewer inspections, particularly small businesses with relatively low food safety risks, including restaurants and grocery stores.
Meanwhile, inspections have increased for certain large wholesalers and food producers, reflecting the model's objective of shifting oversight toward earlier stages of the food supply chain, where food safety risks and noncompliances can potentially affect more consumers.
Areas for Model Improvement
Overall, the Swedish Food Agency concluded that the new model has generally succeeded in distributing inspections according to risk, while reducing inspection fees for most food businesses. Most surveyed food inspectors also considered the model to function adequately or well.
However, the evaluation identified several weaknesses. Industry associations criticized the model for being overly detailed and complicated, making it difficult for businesses to understand their inspection requirements. Some associations also raised concerns that small-scale artisanal food producers could receive disproportionately frequent inspections, and that differences in inspection durations could result in excessive fees.
The evaluation also found that approximately 71 percent of surveyed food control personnel considered the new model more time-consuming to administer than its predecessor.
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Despite the reduction in inspections, the evaluation found no clear indications that food safety had diminished. However, the agency emphasized that it was too early to determine the long-term effects of reduced oversight.
Based on the evaluation, the Swedish Food Agency recommended simplifying the model, addressing disproportionate inspection frequencies for certain businesses, improving consistency in inspection fees, and reviewing reductions granted for good regulatory compliance and third-party certification.
The evaluation was conducted by the agency's Unit for Evaluation and Social Analysis and has been submitted to its Department for Advice and Regulation, which is responsible for the risk classification model. The Swedish Food Agency said it would analyze the findings to determine how the model could be improved.
