Food safety
¶ Food safety
Chapter 2.12 of the dispatch (pp. 816-959) defines the new internal market agreement on food safety. At over 140 pages, it is the most extensive individual chapter of the dispatch, covering food law, veterinary affairs, plant health and GMO regulations.
¶ Summary
The agreement creates a comprehensive framework for cooperation in food safety between Switzerland and the EU. It enables access to the European rapid alert systems (RASFF, TRACES, iRASFF) and participation in EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). At the same time, border controls are simplified and harmonisation of food law is advanced.
¶ Rapid alert systems
| System | Description | Benefit for Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| RASFF | Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed | Immediate warnings in case of food risks |
| TRACES | Trade Control and Expert System | Digital traceability of foodstuffs |
| iRASFF | Interactive RASFF portal | Real-time exchange between authorities |
Access to these systems is central to consumer protection in Switzerland: in case of a food scandal in the EU, Switzerland is immediately informed and can take action before contaminated products reach the market.
¶ EFSA participation
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the EU's central scientific authority for risk assessments in the food sector. Swiss participation includes:
- Scientific panels: Swiss experts may participate in EFSA panels
- Risk assessments: access to all scientific opinions
- Databases: use of EFSA databases for national assessments
- Networks: integration into European research networks
¶ Simplified border controls
One of the most tangible results: simplified border controls for foodstuffs, animal products and plants:
- Abolition of systematic controls at the border for harmonised products
- Sample checks according to EU standards
- Digital pre-notification via TRACES
- Reduction of waiting times and costs for importers
¶ Food law harmonisation
Switzerland progressively adopts EU food law in the areas of:
- Hygiene regulations: food hygiene, establishment approvals
- Labelling: nutritional declaration, allergens, origin indications
- Contaminants: limit values for heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins
- Food additives: E numbers, flavourings, enzymes
- Novel Food: new foods (e.g. insects, in-vitro meat)
¶ Veterinary controls
The veterinary area covers:
- Animal health: epizootic prevention, vaccination programmes
- Animal by-products: disposal regulations
- Animal breeding: breeding programmes, genetic resources
- Animal transport: animal welfare during transport
¶ Plant health
- Harmonisation of phytosanitary measures
- Joint pest control strategies
- Plant passports for intra-European trade
- Protection against invasive species
¶ GMO regulation
GMO regulation remains a sensitive area:
- Switzerland retains its GMO moratorium
- EU-approved GMOs need not be automatically adopted
- Labelling requirement for GMO products is maintained
- Coexistence rules are respected
¶ SPS measures
Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) include:
- Protective measures in case of epizootic outbreaks
- Import bans in case of proven risks
- Safeguard clause for national emergency measures
- Coordination with the WTO SPS Agreement
¶ Key points
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agreement type | Internal market agreement (new) |
| Dispatch volume | 143 pages (largest chapter) |
| Rapid alert systems | RASFF, TRACES, iRASFF |
| EFSA participation | Yes (panels, data, networks) |
| Border controls | Simplified for harmonised products |
| GMO moratorium | Maintained |
| Consumer protection | Strengthened through real-time alerts |
¶ References
- Dispatch of the Federal Council on the Switzerland-EU package, chapter 2.12 (pp. 816-959), FedGaz 2025
- EFSA: Annual Report 2024
- RASFF: Annual Report 2024
- FSVO: Swiss food law, status 2025