Who is responsible for the information on foodstuffs?
The manufacturer and the distributor are responsible for the correctness of the nutritional value information. The information must be truthful and must not be intended to deceive. (Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Consumer Products, Lebensmittel- und Gebrauchsgegenständeverordnung). Nowadays, it is common practice to indicate the nutritional value analyses corresponding to EU Regulation 1169/2011, to offer the consumer the maximum amount of information and transparency. Goods that are intended for export in the EU are also subject to the corresponding obligation for labelling.
Important information about nutritional values
In Switzerland, information is generally made available on the energy value, the amount of fats (unsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated fats), carbohydrates, dietary fibre (fibres), sugar, proteins and salt. Vitamins, minerals and other essential or physiologically useful substances are considered to be nutrients in terms of nutritional labelling for foodstuffs.
Which products already require a declaration of nutritional values?
When a manufacturer indicates that the product has particular nutritional value properties on the packaging or in advertisements, or makes a health claim for the health value of the product in relation to its nutritional values, then the corresponding regulations on labelling must be complied with. In Switzerland, the Ordinance of the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs (EDI) from the 23rd of November 2005 applies to special foodstuffs.
These parameters are contained on commonly used foodstuff packaging
Nutritional labelling for foodstuffs “Big 5”
Calorific value
Protein
Carbohydrates
Fat
Salt
Nutritional labelling for foodstuffs “Big 7”
Calorific value
Fat
- of those, fatty acids
Carbohydrates
- of those, sugar
Protein
Salt
Nutritional labelling for foodstuffs “Big 8”
Calorific value
Protein
Carbohydrates
- of those, sugar
Fat
- of those, fatty acids
Fibre
Salt