Iceland: food inspections

In Iceland the app follows the Act on Foodstuffs No. 93/1995 and EU Regulation 852/2004 (Regulation No. 103/2010), with MAST’s own-check guidance. Municipal health inspectorates inspect restaurants.

Inspection body

Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (Matvælastofnun, MAST); restaurants are inspected by the municipal health inspectorates (Heilbrigðiseftirlit)

The municipal health inspectorates (Heilbrigðiseftirlit) inspect restaurants and issue operating permits (starfsleyfi). In Reykjavík this is Heilbrigðiseftirlit Reykjavíkur. MAST is the central competent authority for food safety and oversees large producers.

Your local health inspectorate usually inspects without warning. An inspector looks at your premises, equipment, food safety system and management knowledge. Keep your own-check system, its records and every instruction from the inspector in one place, available to the inspector. You must have an operating permit before you start, and it cannot be issued without an approved food safety plan.

Hygiene rating

There is no 0–5 or sticker hygiene rating for restaurants in Iceland. Your local health inspectorate inspects and writes a report.