6 May 2022 the Finnish Food Administration revised the guidelines for meat freezing (third edition). The main contents are as follows :


(1) Definitions of meat processing related terms;

(2) Meat freezing processing enterprises shall be approved by competent authorities; Meat should be frozen as soon as possible; Cold stores also need to be registered, approved and to contain the following label information in prepackaged stage:

Name and address of the operator of the frozen product, name of the food, weight, name and address of the food operator to whom it is sent, identification of the lot, date of shipment;

(3) When frozen meat is directly provided to consumers in registered food premises, the following conditions must be observed: meat must be frozen within 48 hours after receiving, frozen within 48 hours after being cooked, and the operator is responsible for attaching food labels;

(4) Label of returned meat: indicate the frozen date of meat in the blank of label;

(5) Labelling requirements for meat directly sold to consumers: Expiry date and freeze date;

(6) If the frozen meat is used for factory production and processing, the freezing date shall be marked on the original label package;

(7) Self-monitoring requirements for meat processing.


The revision shall come into effect on the date of promulgation.