Food safety and food law enforcement in Switzerland

Food safety and food law enforcement in Switzerland

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

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

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

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

Product controls (analyses) VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014

Product controls (analyses) reasons for objections others residues fraud hygiene VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014

Process controls (inspections) Inspection of the production Ø Ø Ø HACCP concepts and own-check systems Quality control documents Traceability Alert and withdrawal procedures Training of staff Handling and processing Inspection of the facilities Ø Environment Ø Buildings Ø Equipment and devices Inspection of the products Ø Storage Ø Labelling Ø Sampling for analyses VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014

Process controls (inspections) VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014

Process controls (inspections) VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION ! VKCS / NO CH / Mai 2014