General Discussion

Livsmedelsverket, the Swedish Food Agency, has introduced a new risk classification model for assessing how much public control a company in the food sector should receive. They do this by identifying and assessing the greatest risks and adapting the level of control based on their risk profile. The new model takes into account the interplay between regulations and certification, recognising that independent third-party certification can result in improved compliance, and therefore a means to ensure that food manufactured into the market in Sweden is safe for consumers. This model recognises that food businesses with BRCGS certification in place represent a lower risk and are therefore subject to less regulatory interventions and inspections. https://www.brcgs.com/about-brcgs/news/2023/swedish-regulator-rewards-sites-with-brcgs-certification/