Finnish nutrition recommendations are based on the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, which are updated approximately every ten years.
Thousands of studies behind the nutrition recommendations
The recommendations are based on peer-reviewed scientific evidence compiled by Nordic expert groups. After the publication of the joint Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, each Nordic country prepares its own national food and meal guidelines for different population groups.
The Finnish nutrition recommendations are published by the National Nutrition Council (VRN), which also includes representatives from THL. Separate working groups are appointed to prepare national guidelines and those targeted at specific population groups.
The expert groups consist of professionals in nutrition, health, ecological sustainability, food services, educational sciences and other fields, representing municipalities, central government, universities, research institutes, organisations and healthcare. External experts are also consulted, and a public comment round is organised. Commercial interests do not influence the recommendations.
THL experts participate in developing Nordic, national and population-specific recommendations. THL also produces the monitoring data on food consumption and nutrient intake needed to update the recommendations.
Each Nordic country takes cultural factors, national dietary habits and nutritional challenges into account in its own recommendations. Therefore, the recommendations may differ slightly, even though human nutritional needs are similar everywhere.
How the recommendations are used
The recommendations are intended to be used in healthcare, meal planning in food services, product development in the food industry, communication, and nutrition education.
They also provide guidance on food choices for healthy and moderately active individuals. A health-promoting and sustainable diet can be achieved in many different ways.
