Norwegian law in the area of food safety and production is generally harmonized with EU law. EU law relating to food and food production has been transformed in recent years from rules regulating specific sectors into rules covering the entire food chain. The food chain perspective in the EU’s Food Law is reflected in the new Norwegian Food Act which was one of the outcomes of the reform.
The Norwegian Food Act
The Norwegian Food Act has been in force since 1 January 2004. The new act replaced 13 laws that used to cover animal and plant health, the primary production of foodstuffs, the raising of animals for the production of food, right through to the production, labelling, packaging and sale of food and beverages. The Food Act thus embodies the same concept of fjord/farm to fork as does the EU’s Food Law.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs is responsible for aquatic (food) production, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has responsibility for the production of food on land after the point of primary production.
Regulations governing standards for food quality and hygiene for the protection of human health are classified under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and Care Services.
Otherwise, the Health Ministry is responsible for genetically modified foods, additives, enriched foods, labelling, health claims and packaging. Rules motivated by concerns for industry, e.g. to ensure exports, are the responsibility of the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs for fish, and of the Agriculture and Food Ministry for agricultural products throughout the entire food chain.
Notwithstanding the vertical principle guiding the division of responsibility, the Ministry for Health and Care Services is responsible for drinking water.