Shopping for food in local shops

When you see an item in a store, the price should be indicated on the packaging, on the shelf edge, or in a price list. If the item is not marked with the price, there should be a price inquiry terminal where you can easily check the price.

The price of the item should be indicated in writing. VAT and other taxes should be included in the price. If there are any fees or other costs, they should be clearly stated.

In some cases, it may be sufficient for the price to be indicated verbally. This can be, for example, in smaller stores with manual service or if you buy an item directly over the counter.

Comparison Price

Stores should indicate a comparison price for an item when appropriate. The comparison price should be indicated in the unit used for the item, such as kilo, liter, meter, or something else.

The comparison price is intended to make it easier for you as a consumer to compare prices. For example, between different stores, packages, or brands. But there are some exceptions. Comparison prices do not need to be provided for:

• packages containing 50 grams, 50 ml, or less
• packages containing several different items, such as ready-made meals
• packages where the sales price is the same as the comparison price

If a comparison price is not relevant for the product, the item does not need to have a comparison price.

You cannot demand to buy an item at the price displayed on the shelf edge or in an advertisement. Sometimes mistakes happens and it is not until you get to the checkout that you and the shop come to an agreement as to the price.You can always choose not to buy the item.

Right to Compensation

In some cases, you may be entitled to compensation for costs incurred due to the incorrect price in the advertisement. This can include costs for an unnecessary trip to the store. Contact the store, preferably in writing, and explain what you want compensation for. You must be able to prove with receipts or similar documentation the costs you want compensation for.

When paying by card, the store can choose whether they want to rounding or charge for the exact amount.

There is a law that governs how rounding in öre may be done. The law states that amounts in öre must be rounded to the nearest hundred. This means that amounts with the final number 1 to 49 must be rounded down and amounts with the final number 50 to 99 up.

The rounding may only be done on the total amount, not on each individual item.

The law governing rounding in öre is dispositive, which means that it can be agreed away. The store can therefore choose to follow the provisions of the law but can also choose to charge the exact amount.

A purchase with a right to return or refund, is something that is voluntarily to offer by a store. Each store can determine if the want do offer a right to return or refund.

This means that some shops offer a right to return within 30 days, while others do not accept any returns. To find out the return policy of the shop, ask at the shop before you make your purchase.

As a consumer, you should be able to find information about, for example, the country of origin on the packaging of certain foods.

Some of the foods that must be labelled are fruit and vegetables, fish, and certain types of beef.

The requirement for labelling exists so that traders can identify and compare products, but also so that you can receive information about the goods.

If packaging is missing, the store should instead provide the information.

Inspection of labelling

It is the Swedish Food Agency that handles the rules on how food should be labelled. However, the Swedish Board of Agriculture is responsible for labelling fresh fruit and vegetables.

Read more on the Swedish Food Agency's website (in Swedish)

Read more about labelling of fruit and vegetables on the Swedish Board of Agriculture's website (in Swedish)

It is allowed to sell food items that have passed their best-before date. The food is often still edible after the best-before date has passed. The store is responsible for ensuring that the products sold are safe.

Selling products that have passed their use-by date is not allowed. This labelling is used for food items that can quickly spoil and may make you sick if consumed after the use-by date.

About date labelling on the Swedish National Food Agency website (in Swedish)

You have the right to complaint about food items. .Lodging a complaint means that you turn to the shop to complain.  

Usually, you have a three-year right to make a complaint, but you should report the item no later than two months after discovering the fault. Keep in mind that many food items are perishable. The time to make a complaint is therefore significantly shorter. Check the items immediately and contact the store right away if something is wrong or if a package is broken.

The store should in first hand fix the fault. This usually means that you get the faulty food replaced. If they cannot replace the food, you are entitled to a refund.

Making a complaint should not cost you anything.

Compensation for extra costs

The company should compensate you for any additional costs incurred due to a faulty item. For example, you can receive compensation for travel expenses if you need to make an extra trip to the store to exchange the item. You need to be able to show the costs you have incurred.

You cannot claim compensation for the inconvenience or the time spent.

About the right to make a complaint

If you have been harmed due to a faulty food product, you have the right to claim damages, i.e. compensation, for the additional costs you suffered. It could, for example, be compensation for dental care if you damaged a tooth on something that is not supposed be in the food. Your claims for compensation must be reasonable.

You must be able to prove the damage you have suffered. You also need to show that you incurred the cost, for example, with a receipt.

If you store food correctly, it will last longer. A simple rule is that the colder the food is kept, the longer it will stay edible. A recommended temperature is +4°C in the refrigerator and -18°C in the freezer.

Read about the best way to store different foods, such as meat, dairy products and fruits and vegetables, on the Swedish National Food Agency’s website.

How to store food properly on the Swedish National Food Agency website (in Swedish)

When someone intentionally violates food legislation to mislead consumers and businesses for financial gain, it is considered food fraud. Some examples include:

• Intentionally providing incorrect information about a food product, such as its species, composition, quantity, durability, country of origin, or method of production.
• Illegal slaughter and sale of meat from such slaughter.
• Sale of food products with unauthorized substances or ingredients added.
• Sale of stolen food products.

Report to the Food Agency

If you come across something you suspect to be food fraud, you can report it to the Food Agency. Tips are valuable in their work to detect and combat food fraud.

Report to the Swedish Food Agency (in Swedish)

This is not food fraud

Here are some examples: - Food poisoning - Unhygienic handling - Dirty premises - If you have tips of this nature, you should contact the food control department of your municipality directly. Many municipalities have a separate tip function for reporting suspected food poisoning.

Do you suspect that you have been food poisoned? Then you should contact the Environmental and Health Protection Office or the equivalent in the municipality where the store is located as soon as possible to prevent others from being affected.

It is also important that you inform the seller of the food item. The responsibility for ensuring the food is safe to eat lies with the store.

About food poisoning on the Swedish Food Agency’s website (in Swedish)

Swedish company

Do you need help understanding your rights? Or do you want to discuss how to proceed with your case? Then you can contact your municipal consumer guidance service or the Consumer Agency’s information service.

Municipality's consumer guidance

Many municipalities offer consumer guidance. You can turn to them for free information and support. The assistance offered varies from municipality to municipality.

The Swedish Consumer Agency

The Swedish Consumer Agency provides free guidance. We can provide information on your rights and what options you have. We cannot assess your individual case, resolve disputes, or contact companies on your behalf.

Contact the Consumer Agency’s Advisors

Companies within the EU, Norway, Iceland and the United Kingdom

Are you a resident of Sweden and the company you have an issue with is registered in another EU country, Norway, Iceland or the United Kingdom? Then you can get free advice from ECC Sweden.

ECC Sweden is part of a network of consumer centers within the EU. In some cases, ECC Sweden may share the case with a sister office in another country to attempt to reach a solution through mediation.

Contact ECC Sweden

To get help with your case, you must have complained to the company in writing.

To ECC Sweden, you need to send a description of the problem and documentation showing what has happened. Documentation is necessary if your case is to be shared with any sister office in another country. Only send copies to the ECC. Keep the originals.

Send your case via email to: konsumenteuropa@konsumentverket.se

The email should include:

• Your first and last name and the name of the company you purchased from
• A description of the problem and how you want the company to resolve it
• The date you placed the order and the date you received it
• The price of what you bought and how you paid
• Documentation as evidence of your case

Once you have submitted your case, you usually receive a response within about a month.

ECC Sweden cannot

• Force a company to act according to the law. The work is based on the company being willing to cooperate with the ECC network to reach a resolution.
• Mediate in a case if we cannot identify the seller or if the seller refuses to cooperate with the ECC network.
• Act as legal representation or assist when the consumer has already initiated legal proceedings.
• Assist in purchases between businesses or purchases between individuals.

If you have questions

ECC Sweden is part of the Swedish Consumer Agency. If you need help understanding your rights or want to discuss how to proceed with your case, you can contact our information service.

Contact the information service

If you and the company cannot reach an agreement, you can file a complaint to the public authority The National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN).

ARN will assess your case and make a recommendation on how to resolve the dispute. Most companies follow ARN’s recommendations.

A normal processing time is approximately six months.

What does it cost to file a complaint with ARN?

It costs SEK 150 to file a complaint with ARN. When you submit your complaint, you can request that the company compensates you for the cost if ARN makes a recommendation in your favour.

Requirements for ARN to consider your case

• The company has either rejected your claims or has not responded within a reasonable time.
• The amount you and the company disagree on exceeds the value limit set by ARN. You cannot include the application fee to ARN.
• You file the complaint within one year from the first time you complained to the company.

Submit a complaint on ARN's website

If you need help with your complaint

Sometimes, the municipal consumer advisors can assist you in making a complaint to ARN.

The Swedish Consumer Agency is the regulatory authority for marketing and price information. If you suspect that a company is breaking the rules on marketing or providing false or misleading price information, you can report it to the Swedish Consumer Agency. Filing a report does not mean that we can assist you in your specific case, however it may lead to an investigation being opened.

File a complaint on the Swedish Consumer Agency’s website