Notifications and authorizations
Every company that handles food or articles of daily use is subject to food legislation. The following activities are included in the handling of foodstuffs: Production, treatment, processing, storage, transportation, import, export and distribution.
Food legislation stipulates the following obligations:
Obligation to report
Anyone who handles foodstuffs must report their activities to the Food Control and Veterinary Office.
Businesses that are already registered with the ALKVW must also report important changes in the business (business orientation, person responsible, location, ...) to the Office (Art. 20 Foodstuffs and Utility Articles Ordinance (LGV, SR 817.02).
Foods for special medical purposes are foods intended for patients with limited, impaired or impaired ability to absorb, digest, process or excrete ordinary foods or certain nutrients contained therein. The placing on the market of these foodstuffs must be notified to the FSVO. FSVO information
Manufacturers or importers must notify the FSVO of the placing on the market of infant formulae and follow-on formulae. FSVO information
In accordance with Art. 62 of the Foodstuffs and Utility Articles Ordinance (LGV), SR 817.02, businesses that offer tattoos or permanent make-up must report this to the ALKVW as the competent enforcement authority.
Anyone wishing to build or make structural changes to a publicly accessible bathroom must notify the Food Inspection and Veterinary Office in advance.
Authorization requirement
Businesses that produce, process, treat, store or supply food of animal origin require a permit from the Food Control and Veterinary Office (Art. 21 LGV). Certain businesses are exempt from the licensing requirement. Exemptions
Authorized businesses are obliged to notify the Office of any major changes, e.g. conversions, which may have an impact on food hygiene.
Novel traditional foods that are traditionally consumed outside Switzerland and the EU and novel foods must be approved by the FSVO. Definition of novel foods
Hemp extracts or cannabinoids (such as CBD) also count as novel foods, which is why they cannot be added to other foods at will. BLV information
If a non-conventional process has been used to produce a foodstuff or if the process results in significant changes to the foodstuff, these foodstuffs also count as novel foods.
Thanks to the Cassis de Dijon principle, many products can be imported from the EU more easily and without technical hurdles. The condition is that the products comply with the regulations of the respective EU country.
Special regulation for foodstuffs: If they do not fully comply with Swiss technical regulations, they can only be sold if they have a permit from the FSVO. Documents Authorization procedure
If there are no concerns regarding safety and deception, the FSVO issues the authorization by means of a general ruling. FSVO overview of general rulings
Health claims that are not already listed in Swiss legislation must be approved by the FSVO before they can be used.
Products that are, contain or are derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are subject to a number of regulations in Switzerland. They may only be placed on the market with a permit from the FSVO.
Online counter
Lebensmittelbetriebe, Meldeformular für Lebensmittelbetriebe in LiechtensteinLaws
LebensmittelgesetzContact persons
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Dr.med.vet. Wolfgang Burtscher [email protected] +423 236 7315
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Markus Gstöhl [email protected] +423 236 7314
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Susanne Meier [email protected] +423 236 7327
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Yvonne Spano-Wellenzohn [email protected] +423 236 7326
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Markus Vallaster [email protected] +423 236 7317