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Selling food in Switzerland

In Switzerland, food follows the Foodstuffs Act (LMG) and the Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles (LGV), with labelling set by the FDHA Ordinance on Food Information (LIV). The business placing food on the market answers for it through self-supervision. Cantonal chemists enforce inside the country; the Confederation checks import.

Updated · Each section links to the official source it comes from

Food law
Foodstuffs Act (LMG) and LGV
Labelling
FDHA Ordinance on Food Information (LIV)
Label language
At least one official language: German, French or Italian
Country of production
Required on prepacked food
Who enforces
Cantonal enforcement authorities, led by cantonal chemists
Federal office
FSVO (Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, BLV)

Before a product goes on sale

The questions to answer, in the order they usually come up.

  1. 1Is any ingredient a novel food, or a GM food, that needs FSVO authorisation? Read more
  2. 2What has to be on the label, in which language and how large? Read more
  3. 3Which allergens, origin and country of production must it show? Read more
  4. 4Can the nutrition and health claims you want be made? Read more
  5. 5Has the business notified the canton, or does it need a licence? Read more
  6. 6Is the food imported, and from the EU or a third country? Read more
  7. 7What happens if the food may endanger health? Read more

The rules, by area

What each area covers, the texts that set it, and what the official pages say.

Labelling

The particulars prepacked food has to carry, and how they are shown.

  • Prepacked food carries its name, ingredients, allergens, durability date, country of production, nutrition declaration, the name and address of the person responsible, and the lot (LGV Article 36; LIV Article 3).
  • The particulars must be in at least one official language of the Confederation; another language is allowed only exceptionally, where consumers are still sufficiently informed (LGV Article 36).
  • Mandatory particulars use an x-height of at least 1.2 mm, or 0.9 mm where the largest surface is under 80 cm² (LIV Article 4).
  • Allergens listed in LIV Annex 6 are emphasised in the ingredients list. Unintended presence is declared above set levels, for example 10 mg/kg for sulphites and 200 mg/kg for gluten (LIV Article 11).
  • The origin of an ingredient that makes up 50% or more is given where the presentation suggests a false origin; for listed animal ingredients the threshold is 20% (LIV Article 16).
  • In distance selling, the mandatory particulars except the durability date and lot must be available when the food is offered, and all of them on delivery (LGV Article 44).

How we help: Compliant Always reads your label artwork against the LIV particulars and shows what is missing, in which language. Ask about this

Novel foods, claims and composition

What may go into the food, and what may be said about it.

  • A novel food is one not used to a significant degree for human consumption in Switzerland or an EU member state before 15 May 1997; it needs FSVO authorisation unless it is listed (LGV Articles 15 to 17).
  • The FSVO says novel foods authorised in the EU are licensed in Switzerland too, while an FSVO authorisation is valid only in Switzerland.
  • Food that is, contains or is made from genetically modified organisms needs FSVO authorisation (LGV Article 31).
  • Nutrition claims may be made only as listed in LIV Annex 13, and health claims only as listed in Annex 14 or authorised by the FSVO (LIV Articles 29 and 31).
  • Statements that a food prevents, treats or cures a human disease are prohibited (LGV Article 12).

How we help: Compliant Always reads your ingredient specifications and claims against the lists that apply, and shows which need an authorisation on file. Ask about this

Notification and licensing

What a food business tells the canton before it starts.

  • Anyone who handles food notifies the competent cantonal enforcement authority of the activity, and of significant changes or closure (LGV Article 20).
  • Businesses handling food of animal origin generally need a cantonal licence; the canton inspects the site before granting it (LGV Article 21; FSVO page on licensing).
  • A food business names a responsible person with a business address in Switzerland (LGV Article 73).

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the notification and any licence with the business record, dated, and shows when details change. Ask about this

Self-supervision, traceability and recalls

What the business itself checks, records and does when something goes wrong.

  • Businesses check that their products meet food law, through good practice, HACCP-based procedures, sampling, traceability and withdrawal and recall arrangements, and document it (LMG Article 26; LGV Articles 74, 75 and 85).
  • Traceability runs one step back and one step forward: who supplied the food and to whom it was delivered (LGV Article 83).
  • If a product endangers or may endanger health, the business informs the cantonal authority at once, withdraws it, and recalls it from consumers where needed (LGV Article 84).
  • The FSVO decides with the canton on public warnings, which it publishes, including through the RecallSwiss app.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps lab reports and supplier documents with each product and lot, dated, so a recall question can be answered from the record. Ask about this

Import

How food comes into Switzerland, and who checks it.

  • Imported food must meet Swiss food law; the Confederation enforces at import, export and transit (LMG Articles 2 and 38; LGV Article 86).
  • The FSVO says food from the EU generally needs no certificate, under the bilateral agreements.
  • The FSVO says the border control posts at Zurich and Geneva airports check food of animal origin and certain high-risk food of plant origin from third countries.
  • Food subject to increased controls is announced in TRACES at least one working day before arrival (LGV Articles 90 to 91a).
  • SECO notes that food not fully meeting Swiss technical rules may be sold under the Cassis de Dijon principle only once the FSVO has issued an authorisation.

How we help: Compliant Always keeps the certificates and declarations a shipment needs with the product, and shows what expires before the next one. Ask about this

Who answers for what

WhoWhat they answer forHow we help
BrandThe food sold under its name, its label and its claims.The label particulars and claims read against the LIV, in one place.
ManufacturerMaking the food to Swiss food law, and the self-supervision records behind it.Specifications, HACCP records and lab reports kept with each product.
ImporterFood brought into Switzerland, its notification to the canton and its paperwork at the border.Suppliers' documents read and dated before the goods arrive.
RetailerWhat it sells, including distance-selling information and traceability one step each way.Questionnaires answered from the product record.

Cantons

Federal acts and ordinances set the rules. Inside Switzerland the cantons enforce food and utility-article law, each through a cantonal chemist who heads the cantonal enforcement authority; the Confederation enforces at import, export and transit (Foodstuffs Act, Articles 38, 47 and 49).

Labels must be in at least one official language: German, French or Italian. Some rules ask for the language of the place of sale, which differs between cantons.

Questions businesses ask

Which law covers food in Switzerland?
The Foodstuffs Act (LMG) and the Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles (LGV), with FDHA ordinances on food information, additives, contaminants, novel foods and hygiene.
Which language must a food label be in?
At least one official language of the Confederation: German, French or Italian. Another language is allowed only exceptionally, where consumers are still sufficiently informed (LGV Article 36).
Does the label have to show where the food was made?
Yes. Prepacked food shows its country of production. For processed food a wider area such as 'EU' may be given instead (LIV Article 15).
How are allergens labelled?
Allergens in LIV Annex 6 are emphasised in the ingredients list, for example by font or background. Unintended presence above set levels is also declared (LIV Article 11).
Is a nutrition declaration required?
Yes, for most prepacked food: energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars, protein and salt (LIV Articles 21 and 22). Food listed in LIV Annex 9, such as water, herbs and spices, and packs under 25 cm², is exempt unless it carries a claim or is fortified.
What is a novel food in Switzerland?
Food not used to a significant degree for human consumption in Switzerland or an EU member state before 15 May 1997. It needs FSVO authorisation unless listed (LGV Articles 15 to 17).
Can EU-labelled food be sold in Switzerland?
It must meet Swiss food law. SECO says food not fully meeting Swiss technical rules may be sold under the Cassis de Dijon principle only with an FSVO authorisation.
Does a food business have to register?
It notifies the cantonal enforcement authority of its activity. Businesses handling food of animal origin generally need a cantonal licence (LGV Articles 20 and 21).
Who enforces food law?
Cantonal enforcement authorities, led by cantonal chemists, inside the country. The Confederation enforces at import, export and transit, and the FSVO supervises (LMG Articles 38 and 47).
What happens if a food may be unsafe?
The business informs the cantonal authority at once, withdraws the food and recalls it from consumers where needed (LGV Article 84). The FSVO and the canton decide on public warnings.
Do online shops have to show the label information?
Yes. In distance selling, the mandatory particulars except the durability date and lot must be available when the food is offered, and all of them on delivery (LGV Article 44).
How does Compliant Always help with selling in Switzerland?
Our team reads the rules for the markets you sell in. Compliant Always shows which apply to your product, keeps the documents behind each one ready, and watches the sources for changes. It shows what the requirements say and what your documents show; you decide.

Sources

Compliant Always is a product of Lettuce Labs LLC. It shows what requirements say and what your documents show. It is not legal advice, and you decide.

Tell us what you make, and we will show you the rules for it.

Name the product and the markets you sell in. We will come back to you with what applies in Switzerland and what your paperwork needs to show.

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