This page provides information on the requirements for mobile food premises that temporarily operate in Finland but are registered in another EU Member State. Information on the requirements for mobile food premises permanently operating in Finland can be found on the Finnish Food Authority’s website and in the guidance on mobile food premises (in Finnish and Swedish).
Principle of mutual recognition
The principle of mutual recognition means that goods can move freely within the EU internal market. If national requirements have been set for products that are not harmonised at EU level, Finland recognises products that comply with the requirements of other Member States. National legislation must not directly or indirectly prevent operators or products established in another EU country from entering the Finnish market. More information is available on the page Mutual recognition of foodstuffs.
Registration and supervision of food business activities
Foreign mobile food business operators whose activities are seasonal or temporary (in total less than six months per year) do not need to submit a food premises notification in Finland, provided that the operator is registered with the competent authority in another EU Member State.
It is recommended that foreign mobile food business operators carry with them a copy of the registration notification or a certificate of being subject to food control, as well as the most recent inspection report. Upon request, the operator must also present any other documents related to food business activities to the food control authority.
It is recommended that foreign mobile food business operators inform the local food control authority of their arrival in the municipality. However, such notification cannot be required from operators within the EU internal market (Act on the Provision of Services 1166/2009, Section 5, and Regulation (EU) No 2019/515).
If a food business registration notification has not been submitted in another EU country before entering Finland, it must be submitted to the municipality in Finland where the activity is started (Food Act 297/2021, Sections 10 and 11). A registration notification must also be submitted if the activity in Finland is permanent or continuous. Registration brings the activity under systematic food control and subjects it to requirements arising from national legislation (for example, the requirement for a hygiene passport and a a health status statement for salmonella infection). Operators under systematic food control are also subject to the basic supervision fee, with exceptions as applicable.
Mobile food premises temporarily operating in Finland may be inspected if necessary. Such inspections are outside systematic food control and do not result in an Oiva report.
Import of foodstuffs of animal origin into Finland
A mobile food business operator registered in another EU country does not need to submit import notifications required by the Finnish Food Authority for foodstuffs of animal origin brought into Finland. However, the operator is responsible for the safety of the products and compliance with legislation. For example, the importer must comply with current safeguard measures, which in some cases may completely prevent the internal market import of foodstuffs. More information is available on the page Mobile and periodic sellers.
Finland has special guarantees concerning salmonella (Special Guarantee Regulation (EC) 1688/2005)). The special guarantees cover raw beef, pork and poultry meat, minced meat made from these, and raw eggs imported into Finland. Consignments containing these foodstuffs must be accompanied by the required salmonella documents and certificates. More information on the requirements can be found on the Finnish Food Authority’s website and in the guidance Requirements for special guarantees concerning salmonella in the import of food products of animal origin in the internal market.
Further information from municipal food control authorities
Questions related to food control and food legislation for businesses are primarily handled by municipal food control authorities. More information on the requirements for mobile food premises and on submitting notifications can be obtained from the municipal food control authority. You can find the contact details for local municipal food control authorities at the bottom of the ilppa-service homepage. The Finnish Food Authority does not respond to individual company enquiries.