General features of the keyhole system are that:
- Labelling with the symbol is voluntary and free of charge.
- Official notification is not required for use of the symbol.
- Food manufacturers using the keyhole label are responsible for observing the regulations.
Keyhole labelling is primarily overseen by the municipal environmental and public health authority or equivalent organisation.
The National Food Administration oversees certain large manufacturers who use keyhole labelling on some of their products.
Where can keyhole labelling be used?
At present, labelling with the keyhole symbol can be used in the following three contexts:
- On pre-packaged foods, that is on retail and wholesale packaging. Fresh or frozen fish, fresh fruit, vegetables and potatoes may also be sold on a loose-weight basis.
- On menus and recipes for restaurants and fast food outlets.
- On food recipe leaflets targeted at consumers. Specific agreements on criteria are signed by the National Food Administration and the parties involved.
Food intended for children up to 36 months of age may not be labelled with the keyhole symbol, but keyhole labelled products are suitable to eat for children older than 2 years.
As regards keyhole labelled menus for restaurants, inclusive the fast food sector, the National Food Administration is currently working to develop new criteria and to introduce a certification system.
What regulations apply?
The directive controlling the use of the keyhole symbol is LIVSFS 2005:9, National Food Administration Regulations Regarding the Use of Certain Symbols. You can read the whole regulation by clicking on the link to the right.
These regulations came into effect on 1 June 2005. During a transition period up to 30 November 2006, the previous regulations (SLVFS 1989:2) continued to apply. For certain product groups the transition period has been extended to 30 June 2007 (deep frozen ready meals, breakfast cereals and gruel powder) or 30 June 2008 (hard cheese).
Knowledge of two other sets of regulations is also important for those wishing to use the keyhole symbol: National Food Administration Regulations Regarding the Labelling and Presentation of Food, LIVSFS 2004:27, and National Food Administration Regulations and General Advice Regarding Nutritional Information Declarations, SLVFS 1993:21.
What do the new regulations mean?
The intention is that the new regulations from 2005 will conform better to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and the National Food Administration’s other dietary advice regarding the foods consumers should choose to eat a healthier diet.
The previous regulations from 1989 only contained criteria on the amounts of fat and dietary fiber when using the keyhole labelling. Now there are also restrictions on the saturated fat and transfat content and on the sugars and salt (sodium) content for those products that this is relevant.
Under the new regulations, additional groups of foods can be labelled with the keyhole symbol, for example naturally lean products such as meat, fish and shellfish, and naturally fibre-rich products such as fruit and vegetables. Oily fish may also carry the keyhole symbol.
At present, conditions have been specified for 26 food groups that can be labelled with the keyhole symbol. Different conditions apply for different food groups.
What should the keyhole symbol look like?
The keyhole symbol has been a registered trademark in Sweden since 1989 and is owned by the National Food Administration.
The keyhole symbol should appear as shown in the picture on the right and may either be green (colour PMS 356 or Euro X1X0) or black.
A print original of the keyhole symbol, to be used for labelling of food packaging, menus and recipes in restaurants should be ordered from the National Food Administration’s internet shop. See the link to the right of this page.
The National Food Administration has applied for registration of the keyhole trademark in other countries in Europe.
Information
Anita Laser Reuterswärd, PhD in Food Science and Nutrition
Department of Information and Nutrition, Nutrition Section
Tel +46-18–17 53 37,
E-mail: anlr@slv.se
Lena Jansson, National Inspector
Supervision Department, Section for Local Government Support
Tel: +46-18–17 56 35