The food hygiene situation of food aid workers in the South Häme environmental health area is moderately good.

In the South Häme Environmental Health Surveillance Area, a surveillance project was carried out in the summer of 2025 as a thesis assignment, mapping the situation of food aid operators operating in the area. The number of food aid customers is growing. The project was carried out because, according to the current Finnish Food Authority guidelines, food aid operators are not subject to regular food surveillance.

During the project, inspection visits were made to eight food aid sites operating in the South Häme environmental health control area.

Advice on food hygiene

During the project, the number of food aid sites, the nature and scope of their operations were investigated, among other things. During the project, food aid operators were given guidance and advice on requirements related to food hygiene and food legislation.

Based on the project results, the situation of food aid sites operating in the area is moderately good. Most guidance and advice was given in matters related to self-monitoring and the quality of the food distributed, such as drawing up or updating a self-monitoring plan, temperature management, date marking management and assessing the sensory quality of food.

The project continues with food donation organizations.

Some of the food aid providers have a fairly large customer volume. Since deficiencies were observed in the quality of the food distributed, the project will also be continued in 2026. In this case, the project will be targeted at providers who donate food to food aid providers.

The Environmental Health Department of South Häme is responsible for food control in the municipalities of Forssa, Hausjärvi, Humppila, Janakkala, Jokioinen, Loppe, Riihimäki, Tammela and Ypäjä. In addition to food control, the Environmental Health Department of South Häme is responsible for health protection control, tobacco law enforcement and the organization of veterinary care services in the area. The city of Riihimäki is the responsible municipality for environmental health care in South Häme.

South Häme Environmental Health Food Control (riihimaki.fi)