– Negotiations on reducing salt in food fail
Salt and sugar, responsible for many health problems, were at the center of discussions between the federal authorities and the food industry. Without success for the first named.
The Confederation’s negotiations with food producers and retailers to reduce the salt content of foods have failed. They are, however, willing to put less sugar in sodas, milk drinks and cottage cheese.
Unfortunately, the proposed salt reduction targets are not supported by the industry, a spokeswoman for the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO) told Keystone-ATS on Sunday.
It confirmed information from the Sonntagszeitung, which specified that the negotiations had been fruitless in particular because the companies were not authorized to use substitute products.
The next step for the FSVO will be to analyze which regulations have worked abroad. The board is also considering regulatory measures that might legally require salt reduction for certain products.
Preferred Voluntary Collaboration
But the spokeswoman stressed that the authorities favor voluntary collaboration with agreed objectives. To achieve a reduction in salt consumption in the population, the whole branch must pull together, she added.
This, according to the FSVO, is the only way for consumers to gradually get used to a less salty taste in industrial products.
Less sugar
However, the Confederation has had success in reducing sugar. There will soon be less in sodas, milk drinks and cottage cheese.
All major companies are ready to guarantee a 10% sugar reduction by the end of 2024, the FSVO said, confirming information from the “NZZ am Sonntag”. The list of companies that specifically commit to doing so will be published in early 2023.
Milestone
This is an important step in efforts to reduce sugar intake in Switzerland, says the Confederation. Already in 2015, an agreement was reached within the framework of the “Milan Declaration” on a reduction of sugar in yogurts and breakfast cereals.
In 2019, 14 companies agreed to further reduce the sugar content of yogurts by 10% and cereals by 15% by 2024.
For the new sugar reduction of sodas, dairy drinks and cottage cheese, companies will sign an appendix to the “Milan Declaration”.
ATS
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