Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Food safety and food law
enforcement in Switzerland
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Goals and purpose of food law
To protect consumer health
To protect the consumer against frauds
To ensure food handling under good hygiene conditions
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Organization Food law enforcement in Switzerland
Federal Department
of Home Affairs
Federal Department of Economic
Affairs,
Education and Research
Federal Food Safety and
Veterinary Office
Federal Office for
Agriculture
Legislation
Enforcement
Cantonal food
chemist
Cantonal official
veterinarian
Cantonal office for
agriculture
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Food law enforcement in Switzerland
The advantages of a decentralized system
Proximity of food businesses
Think global, act local!
2 federal offices
(regulation)
20 cantonal food
control authorities
(enforcement)
Small reaction time in
case of emergency
Good knowledge of regional
food trade
Easy access to regional
courts of justice for prosecution
Sharing of scientific competences
through networking
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Cantonal food control authorities: resources
Product controls: ~ 310 Full Time Equivalents
Process controls: ~ 220 Full Time Equivalents
Costs: ~ 80 Mio EUR
~ 100 Mio CHF
All laboratories and inspection
bodies are accredited
ISO 17020
ISO 17025
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Product controls (analyses)
2013
foodstuffs (without water)
drinking water
utensils with food contact
cosmetics
utensils
total
# samples
54'604
54'637
483
992
1'854
112'570
# objections
8'774
3'678
32
273
297
13'054
%
16
7
7
28
16
12
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Product controls (analyses)
reasons for objections
others
residues
fraud
hygiene
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Process controls (inspections)
Inspection of the production






HACCP concepts and own-check systems
Quality control documents
Traceability
Alert and withdrawal procedures
Training of staff
Handling and processing
Inspection of the facilities
 Environment
 Buildings
 Equipment and devices
Inspection of the products
 Storage
 Labelling
 Sampling for analyses
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Process controls (inspections)
2012
A
B
C
D
E
industrial plant
manufacturers
commerce
restauration
drinking water
total
Hazard class in % of controlled food businesses
#
551
4'992
7'906
25'908
769
40'126
1
75
61
71
55
57
59
2
21
32
24
36
35
33
3
4
7
5
8
7
7
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014
4
0.0
1.0
0.5
0.7
0.9
0.7
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
Process controls (inspections)
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014
Verband der KantonschemikerInnen der Schweiz
Association des chimistes cantonaux de Suisse
Associazione dei chimici cantonali svizzeri
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !
VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014