Information about the origin of the raw material - meat

One way to follow-up is to carry out spot checks of delivered products. It can then be verified that information about the commodity's country of origin has been provided, such as by means of: 

• Information about the country of origin of the commodity in electronic purchasing/ordering channels, in the price files that are loaded into each contracting organisation's e-commerce system.
• Information on the product about the origin of the commodity.
• Product labelling showing that the requirement is met, such as certification from Svensk Fågel or labels displaying "Svensk Fågel", "Svenskt Sigill", "Från Sverige", "Kött från Sverige" or similar.
• Other documentation where the information is included.

You are encouraged to enlist the help of specialised expertise in your organisation for checking the submitted verification of compliance with the requirement. This could, for example, consist of an environmental or sustainability strategist with extensive knowledge in sustainability issues.

Note that the oval-shaped identification label on animal products specifies only the facility that last handled the food item, regardless of the origin of the raw material. It is therefore insufficient for use as verification that the requirement is met.
The Swedish Food Agency's origin marking guide

The National Agency for Public Procurement recommends that this requirement is used for products containing at least ten percent meat. A contracting organisation is able to set the requirement for products containing less than ten percent meat, but it is in that case important to conduct a market analysis to ensure that products exist that can meet the requirement.
Market analysis

In the case of composite products, there may be more than one country of origin. If the requirement is used for a product that has a low meat content, it may limit the availability of individual products. It can also be resource intensive for both purchasers and sellers to follow up, which contracting organisations should take into consideration before setting the requirement.

Within the EU, there are certain mandatory requirements relating to labelling the origin of beef, pork, lamb and poultry. For more information about the rules that apply regarding mandatory labelling of origin for meat, see the Swedish Food Agency's website. 

It is not permitted to require a certain country of origin in public procurement. The criterion relating to the commodity's origin only aims to ensure that information is provided about which country the raw material comes from. Nor is the information about the raw material's country of origin intended to be used as a basis for evaluating tenders, since this could be considered to be in conflict with the basic principles of procurement. However, the information may be an important basis for the contracting organisation's internal risk analyses and follow-up work. Keep in mind that the contractual terms should state how the information about the origin of the commodity shall be provided during the term of the contract. If it is required that information be conveyed through specific systems, it may make it more difficult for companies to submit tenders. 
The basic principles of procurement

It can take time for producers and suppliers to demonstrate that they comply with new and revised criteria. The National Agency for Public Procurement therefore recommends that new and revised criteria be used in procurement no sooner than three months following publication. 
Further information about when it is appropriate to use new and revised sustainability criteria.

Transparency and traceability are important for checking sustainability parameters in the supply chain. Information about the origin of a raw material assures meal guests and can provide contracting organisations with important information about the performance of a product, such as the regulations that are followed during primary production. According to the European Commission, interest in the traceability of a commodity's origin is on the rise throughout the community, including the public sector. It is therefore important that information on the country(ies) in which production occurred can be effectively conveyed from the producer/supplier to the contracting organisation, catering service, kitchen and meal guest. 
The European Commission's Farm to Fork strategy, 2020

The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.