Swedish Food Agency Introduces New Model for Evaluating Food Controls
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The Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) has introduced a new, more systematic model for evaluating food control and follow-up activities in Sweden. The model is based on an index that weighs several indicator criteria to measure how well a control meets best practices.
The indicator criteria against which food controls will be measured are:
- Risk-based: Whether controls are carried out in proportion to the risks posed to health and integrity, with a focus on high-risk facilities
- Effective: The percentage of deviations that are corrected within a year
- Legally safe authority actions: The proportion of deviations that lead to appealable authority decisions
- Equivalence: How outcomes compare between different authorities to ensure uniform assessments.
These indicators should make it possible to compare the results of food controls between different authorities and to identify areas where food control needs to be improved. The index will provide a basis for prioritizing efforts like training and guidance.
The new model will be phased-in beginning in 2025 with a follow-up to 2024 checks.
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