¿Hasta qué punto es saludable la comida en Suiza?

The initiative, spearheaded by a small group of people led by environmental activist Franziska Herren, asserts that the Swiss population "must have access at all times to sufficient quantities of high-quality and affordable food," and that Swiss agriculture should provide the majority of the supply.

The initiative is obviously seeking the ideal scenario, the "best case," but opponents, including the government, say this goal is unrealistic and difficult to achieve, if only because Swiss farms are able to supply just under half of the national food consumption, with the rest being imported.

Can you be sure that the food you buy in Switzerland is safe?

“The agri-food sector ensures that the public has access to safe, high-quality and sustainably produced products” he writes.

“Accreditation ensures that laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies operate independently and in accordance with recognized standards.”

Furthermore, “in agriculture and throughout the entire food supply chain, accredited bodies test, inspect and certify production processes, product safety, animal welfare and hygiene.”

You know the food you eat is safe, but is it high quality?

In general, the answer is "yes," although it largely depends on what you want to buy: fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products, or sugary snacks high in saturated fat?

Here are some of the positive and negative aspects of food in Switzerland.

Lots of organic food ('Bio')

The Swiss consume more organic food than any other Europeans, spending an average of 454 francs per person per year on this type of food.

And the good news is that these kinds of "clean" and sustainably produced foods are plentiful at Coop and Migros, and to some extent also at Aldi and Lidl.

Locally grown

Although they may not carry the "Bio" label, the Swiss prefer locally grown and produced foods to imported ones, especially when it comes to products like eggs, butter, fruits and vegetables, even if they are more expensive.

It is easy to find these products, labeled as "regional" or "from the region", in stores.

Now, the negative aspects.

Alongside healthy and nutritious foods, there are processed foods and sugary drinks, which are among the least healthy due to their high content of empty calories, sodium, and harmful fats.

Why are they being sold in the first place?

Interestingly, junk food consumption in Switzerland varies according to linguistic regions.

According to a study by the University of Zurich, "in German-speaking Switzerland, people consume a lot of cheese and dairy products and have a great fondness for chocolate, while those living in the French-speaking part drink more alcohol. In both regions, a lot of meat and sausages are consumed, sometimes excessively. And, unsurprisingly, people in the Italian-speaking part of the country are closer to the ideal of the Mediterranean diet, long considered the healthiest way to eat."

What the government says

Despite the availability of healthy foods, “the Swiss population does not follow a balanced diet. They consume too many sweets, too many salty and fatty snacks, and not enough fruits, vegetables, and legumes.”

This is the conclusion of the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO), which developed the so-called "food pyramid" that shows what the population should eat to stay healthy.

It is recommended to consume five daily servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables, prioritizing regional and seasonal produce. Finally, beverages, and water in particular, remain the most important food group in terms of quantity, while sugary drinks, sweets, and salty snacks are considered optional in the daily diet.

In conclusion…

Swiss supermarkets offer a wide variety of healthy options, making it easy, though not necessarily cheap, to consume high-quality food.

However, many people give in to the temptation to overeat foods with no nutritional value.