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Finnish food entrepreneur and non-fiction writer Elviira Krebber has been ordered by a local food control authority to remove a blog post from her website or face a fine. The blog post, in which Krebber shares her personal experiences with the health benefits of the ketogenic diet, was deemed to violate food law. The ruling has sparked concerns over freedom of expression and the boundaries of food marketing regulation.
Krebber, based in Tampere, argues that her post is not intended to market specific food products but is instead a reflection of her personal journey and engagement in the ongoing scientific and public discourse around the ketogenic diet. She views the authority’s decision as an unreasonable restriction on her right to share information and participate in debate.
“I want to act within the law and responsibly as an entrepreneur, but interpreting my personal story as food marketing feels excessive. This limits my ability to speak publicly about the ketogenic diet, which is one of the most extensively researched diets in the world,” Krebber stated.
The case raises concerns about how broadly such regulations could be applied. Krebber fears the interpretation might extend to her information and recipe books on the ketogenic diet, which she sells through her website. If these books are also classified as food marketing, she could be forced to withdraw them, posing a threat to her livelihood and professional expression.
“The blog post removal could be just the beginning. If my books are viewed in the same way, it would seriously undermine a non-fiction writer’s right to discuss scientifically grounded dietary effects,” Krebber warned.
The situation underscores the challenge of balancing freedom of expression with food regulations. Mika Rönkkö, Executive Director of the Finnish Association of Health Food Retailers, sees the authority’s interpretation as a troubling precedent that blurs the line between personal expression and commercial communication.
“In this case, the authority seems to expand the definition of marketing communication in a way that risks limiting an entrepreneur’s freedom of expression. Personal experiences differ fundamentally from claims promoting specific food products. There is a need for clear, fair, and consistent regulation across the country, ensuring food business operators can contribute to public discussions without undue constraints,” Rönkkö said.
This case highlights broader implications for entrepreneurs and content creators, especially those engaged in health and nutrition topics, calling into question how food-related communication is regulated in Finland.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
