[quote align=”center”]Major protections about health and food fraud, minor barriers to trade: these are the principal elements of new Switzerland food law that will enter into force by 1 May 2017.[/quote]
In principle, foodstuffs that are authorized in Switzerland are described by product-specific regulations. Products which are not specified in these regulations need authorisation from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) (article 5 (1) Swiss Regulation on Food and Commodities).
Now, thanks to this changing, foods could be traded freely as long as they are both safe and in accordance with the legislation. Novel foods, as protein extract from insects, will be pre-authorized.
This change makes significants improvements.
Consumer benefits
protection from health risks and food fraud similar to other neighboring countries because now requirements and criteria about food and articles intended to food contact are clearer.
Manufacturers and craft firms benefit
abolition of the permit to trade for every specific food. Administrative simplification and harmonization of the control on food factories.
Trading benefits
approximation of the Switzerland and European regulations, without giving up national specific legislation.
(Source: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO web site)
