Food Safety Incidents Increase in Finland, but Outbreak Investigation Improves
A recent report from the Finnish Food Authority reveals that Finland experienced an uptick in food safety incidents in 2021. The report summarizes Finland’s regulatory food safety activities for the year, including official controls and monitoring programs related to food and feed, research, and risk assessments. Despite the dramatic increase in the country’s food recalls during 2021, the report expresses that the results of official controls and investigations indicate that the Finnish food safety system works well and that the country has maintained an acceptable level of food safety.
In total, there were 309 food recalls issued in Finland in 2021, marking the sixth consecutive year that the nation has seen increased food recall activity. Of the 309 food recalls, 72 were attributed to ethylene oxide, followed by 33 pesticide-related recalls and 29 allergen-related recalls. Microbiological contaminants prompted 49 recalls, 26 of which were linked to Salmonella. Other microbial hazards that led to recalls include Listeria monocytogenes and mold. Non-EU products were the subject of more than half of the recalls.