Food premises

Food premises include professional transportation of foodstuffs, foodstuff storages, cafés, kiosks, bakeries, shops, on-line stores for foodstuffs, restaurants, institutional kitchens, regular outdoor sales, etc.

Before starting the business or significant change in the business, you have to either

• make an announcement of your business in writing to Environment Office of the Oulu Region no later than four weeks before beginning the operations or
• apply for an approval of your business from Environment Office of the Oulu Region. You can only begin operating after obtaining approval from the authorities.

A notification regarding food premises must be made to a food control official prior to the commencement of commercial operation or significant changes. Please, make the notification

• using ilppa online service (Service in Finnish or Swedish only) or
• via e-mail to ymparisto(at)ouka.fi or by sending a paper version. Unfortunately, the notification form is available only in Finnish.

A fee is charged for the handling of the notification. In addition, a notification must be made without delay in the event of change of operator or discontinuation of activity.

The location of the activity must be approved by a Buildings Regulations Department official.

The food inspector will inspect the premises and actions regularly.

Read more about food establishments from Ruokavirasto's website (Finnish Food Authority), please.