Food control

The variation in public food control around the country is extensive, as is the lack of equivalence. At the same time, our sector of accredited control companies has a well-functioning structure with routines for quality and independence. Swetic therefore works to ensure that the capacity of these companies is given the opportunity to strengthen public control and contribute to more efficient and equitable municipal food supervision.

Several public investigations confirm the picture of a lack of competence and resources in public food control in many parts of the country. Several smaller municipalities lack sufficient resources to carry out the necessary regular supervision of actors in the food chain.

– The need for organizational and regular improvement is great. We also see extensive variations between municipalities regarding municipal supervision fees, says Jörgen Backersgård, chairman of Swetic.

Delegated quality assurance controls

While many municipalities suffer from a lack of resources, there is a well-established sector of inspection and certification companies, which already carry out similar inspections today. These are voluntary inspections for quality and food safety that many food business operators order in addition to the statutory supervision. The companies also carry out inspections that are carried out on behalf of the public sector.

– An example of controls that accredited inspection companies have long carried out on behalf of the Swedish National Food Administration and the Swedish Board of Agriculture is the control of organic food according to the EU regulation, says Anna Broekman, board member of Swetic.

The authorities retain ultimate responsibility

All accredited inspection companies are under state supervision by the authority Swedac. Accreditation means that the authority regularly ensures that the companies maintain competence, independence and impartiality. If deficiencies are discovered, the accreditation may be revoked. This means that the state and municipalities retain ultimate responsibility for the inspection.

“The inspection companies often have a good national distribution and can also operate across municipal borders. If accredited companies are allowed to strengthen public inspection, the burden on many municipalities with a shortage of personnel will be reduced,” says Jörgen Backersgård.

No legal obstacles

Swetic's lawyers have, among other things, investigated the issue and concluded that there are no legal obstacles for public actors to collaborate with accredited inspection companies to strengthen and supplement their operations. In other words, such collaboration does not require a change in the law. There is also interest in other countries in making food inspection more efficient. Safety inspections are also carried out by accredited companies in other sectors, including vehicle inspections and lifts in public environments.

– Increased municipal cooperation is the solution that the public investigations have focused on so far. We believe that this is not enough and that we can do more, especially considering that Sweden is increasing its preparedness and has the ambition to increase its self-sufficiency in food. Effective supervision of food companies throughout the country is an important prerequisite for Sweden to be able to realize its vision of becoming a leading food country with increased production and exports and more jobs, says Anna Broekman.