Entrepreneur's freedom of expression put to the test in Finland: authority demands removal of text from a blog site about the keto diet

Elviira Krebber, a food entrepreneur and non-fiction writer based in Tampere, Finland, has come under pressure from the authorities over a blog post on her website. In her blog post, Krebber shared her personal experiences on the health benefits of the ketogenic diet. The local food control authority ruled that the post violated food law and ordered the text to be removed, under penalty of a fine.

According to Mrs Krebber, this is a significant restriction on her freedom of expression, as the text is not related to the marketing of specific foods, but is her personal story about the effects of the diet. She also points out that the blog post is part of the public and scientific debate around the ketogenic diet, which she has actively promoted as a non-fiction writer.

"I want to comply with the law and act responsibly as an entrepreneur, but I feel that in this case it is unreasonable to interpret my personal experiences as food marketing. This limits my right to participate in the public debate and share information about the ketogenic diet, especially as it is one of the most researched diets worldwide," says Krebber.

Concerns about the legality of selling books
Krebber also raises concerns about whether the authorities could extend the same interpretation to her information and recipe books on the ketogenic diet. Krebber sells her books on her company's website, but now fears that the authorities may demand their removal on the same grounds. This could put the entrepreneur in an unfair position and further restrict her professional freedom of expression.

"The removal of the blog post could be just the beginning if the authorities decide that the non-fiction and recipe books I have written will also be considered as marketing for food products. This would be a serious blow to a non-fiction writer's right to express scientifically based views on the effects of food on our health," Krebber continued.

The tension between freedom of expression and regulation
The case highlights the tension between freedom of expression and food regulation. Mika Rönkkö, Executive Director of the Finnish Association of Health Food Retailers, sees the case as a worrying precedent for the boundary between an entrepreneur's freedom of expression and food legislation.

"In this case, the Finnish authority's interpretation seems to stretch the concept of marketing communications in a way that may threaten the entrepreneur's freedom of expression. Personal experiences are not commercial communications in the same way as claims about a specific food product. This case highlights the need for a clear and fair interpretation of the regulation. It is also important to have the same interpretation in controls throughout Finland. However, I consider it particularly important that food business operators also have the opportunity to participate in the social debate without undue restrictions," Rönkkö says.

For more information:
Elviira Krebber
non-fiction writer and entrepreneur
So Simple Oy / Ellin Keittiö
Tel. +358 50-48 37 554
elviira@ellinkeittio.fi

Mika Rönkkö
Executive Director
Finnish Association of Health Product Retailers
tel. +358 500 430 818
mika.ronkko@terveystuotekauppa.fi