Smiley - Food inspection

Shops and restaurants in Denmark are responsible for complying with the food regulations. The inspectors of the food authorities control how well the enterprises comply with rules and regulations.

All shops, restaurants and other enterprises selling food and beverages to the public are inspected on a regular basis, typically one to three times a year.

The inspection reports with smileys are to be posted in all supermarkets, at groceries, bakeries, butchers, greengrocers, in kiosks, restaurants, pizzerias, canteens, hospital kitchens and elderly homes.

The expression of the smiley is a signal to the consumers about how well an enterprise complies with the food regulations.

All results from the food inspection are searchable on the internet.

An example of the udpated Danish Smiley (october 2023)

Updated Smiley in 2023

The Smiley received an updated look. From October 2023, there will be a new Smiley posted on the entrance door of the eatery or business instead of the full inspection report.

The new smiley sticker displays:

  • A large smiley face: Indicates the result of the latest inspection along with its date.
  • Inspection history: The two most recent results along with their dates.
  • QR code: Links to the company's latest inspection reports on findsmiley.dk.

The intention is to make it easier for the consumer to interpret the inspection result.

Three Smiley symbols

The updated Smiley now consists of three symbols: a Smiley with a happy mouth, a Smiley with a neutral mouth, and a Smiley with a sad mouth.

 

Smiley with a happy mouth: No remarks.
Smiley with a happy mouth: No remarks.
Smiley with a neutral mouth: Admonition, injunction, prohibition, or daily fines.
Smiley with a neutral mouth: Admonition, injunction, prohibition, or daily fines.
Smiley with a sad mouth: Fine, police report, quarantine, authorization or registration revoked.
Smiley with a sad mouth: Fine, police report, quarantine, authorization or registration revoked.