Sweden:Admin
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The Food Act is the central legal foundation for food legislation in Sweden. Infringement of food regulations can lead to measures under criminal law and consumer damage claims under civil law, whereby the final decision rests with the courts. Government measures with regard to food safety are often based on scientific risk assessments. However, the final decision on the legality of governmental measures rests with the courts. | The Food Act is the central legal foundation for food legislation in Sweden. Infringement of food regulations can lead to measures under criminal law and consumer damage claims under civil law, whereby the final decision rests with the courts. Government measures with regard to food safety are often based on scientific risk assessments. However, the final decision on the legality of governmental measures rests with the courts. | ||
In Sweden, there is no institutional separation of food risk assessment and food risk management, as both are performed by the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket, | In Sweden, there is no institutional separation of food risk assessment and food risk management, as both are performed by the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket, SLV). However, an in-house separation between risk assessment and risk management is in place to ensure independence. | ||
The National Veterinary Institute (Statens veterinärmedicinska anstalt, SVA) is responsible for conducting risk assessments, and the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket, JV) is responsible for risk management, within their field of expertise. | The National Veterinary Institute (Statens veterinärmedicinska anstalt, SVA) is responsible for conducting risk assessments, and the Swedish Board of Agriculture (Jordbruksverket, JV) is responsible for risk management, within their field of expertise. | ||
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The Swedish Food Agency ( | The Swedish Food Agency (SLV) is an independent, non-ministerial government authority. Nonetheless, SLV is accountable to the government and the Government Offices of Sweden. | ||
In the area of food safety, | In the area of food safety, SLV is responsible for risk and benefit assessments, risk communication and risk management. SLV prepares draft legislation on the basis of science-based risk assessments. SLV is responsible for state food inspections and for the subsequent information on the outcome of the control and inspection activities. | ||
Within | Within SLV, the Risk Benefit Assessment Department has the task to conduct independent risk assessments for food safety issues, including biohazards, novel foods, food supplements and botanicals, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), foodborne infections, contaminants and drinking water. The department also conducts risk assessments for plant protection products and veterinary medicinal product residues in food. However, the regulatory authority for plant protection products is the Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemikalieinspektionen) and the regulatory authority for veterinary medicinal products is the Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket). SLV provides laboratory analytical services related to food safety. | ||
The remit of the Risk Benefit Assessment Department extends beyond food safety to include, e.g., nutrition and dietary surveys. | The remit of the Risk Benefit Assessment Department extends beyond food safety to include, e.g., nutrition and dietary surveys. | ||
