Denmark: food inspections

Chef Hygiene follows the Danish hygiene order (BEK 1331/2025) and the hygiene guide VEJ 9700/2025 of the Danish Veterinary and Food Authority (Fødevarestyrelsen), which inspects and publishes the Smiley result.

Inspection body

Danish Veterinary and Food Authority (Fødevarestyrelsen)

One national authority inspects: Fødevarestyrelsen (the Danish Veterinary and Food Authority), part of the Ministry of Business. It works through three food units: East, South and North. The inspector checks your self-check (egenkontrol), the premises and your papers.

Visits are unannounced. Most restaurants and cafés get sample-based control chosen by a risk model, with no fixed rhythm: firms with problems get more visits. The inspector can take samples and photos and hold back food. Sanctions are a warning, an order, a ban, an administrative fine, a police report or loss of approval. After a warning you pay for 1 follow-up visit, and after an order, ban or fine for 2.

Hygiene rating

Yes: the public Smiley scheme (BEK 1225/2024). A glad smiley means no remarks. A smiley with a straight mouth means a warning, order or ban. A sad smiley means a fine, a police report or loss of approval. The smiley sign must hang at every public entrance, and the last 4 results are on findsmiley.dk.