Norway: food inspections

Chef Hygiene follows the EU hygiene rules as Norway applies them (EEA), the Norwegian temperature rules in the hygiene regulation and Mattilsynet’s guidance, and Mattilsynet inspects and publishes the Smilefjes result.

Inspection body

Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet)

One national authority inspects: Mattilsynet (the Norwegian Food Safety Authority), under the Food Act (matloven, § 23). Municipalities only help on request. You must register your business before you start.

There is no fixed interval: Mattilsynet decides from risk and capacity. Visits are mostly unannounced, and some controls are digital. After a visit the steps are written guidance, then an order to correct with a deadline, then a coercive fine (tvangsmulkt). Mattilsynet can close an activity for up to 6 months for ignored orders or gross breaches. A follow-up control costs NOK 2,775 in person or NOK 1,388 otherwise.

Hygiene rating

Yes: Smilefjes (smiley). The three symbols are Smilefjes (no breach, or only trivial ones), Strekmunn (straight mouth: breaches) and Sur munn (sour mouth: serious or repeated breaches). The report must hang next to the entrance, visible before guests go in. Results are published on smilefjes.mattilsynet.no.