Exporting food and beverages to Switzerland: what a Japanese maker must know

Switzerland is a small, high-value market with its own food law. It is not part of the European Union, so a product that is compliant for Germany or France is not automatically compliant for Zürich or Lugano. The good news: the rules are close to the EU's, well documented, and manageable with the right partner.

Who sets the rules

Food safety is governed by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), under the Foodstuffs Act and its ordinances, chiefly the ordinance on information on foodstuffs. Cantonal laboratories control products on the market; in Ticino, the cantonal authority in Bellinzona.

What is checked on your product

• Composition and additives. Additives must be authorised in Switzerland for that category of food. Most additives used in Japan are, but a few colourings and sweeteners common in Japan are not.
• Allergens. The Swiss list of allergens to declare is aligned with the EU list of fourteen. Soy, wheat, sesame, fish, crustaceans and molluscs are frequent in Japanese products and must be emphasised in the ingredient list.
• Labelling language. The label must be in at least one official Swiss language: German, French or Italian. English alone is not sufficient. Fujisan supplies compliant labels in the three languages for the whole Swiss market.
• Mandatory mentions. Product name, ingredient list in descending order, allergens, net quantity, date of minimum durability, storage conditions, country of origin, and the name and address of the Swiss importer.
• Nutrition declaration. Required on most prepacked foods, in the same format as in the EU: energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and salt per 100 g or 100 ml.

Products needing extra care

Fresh meat and fish, dairy, products containing eggs, dietary supplements and anything carrying a health claim face additional requirements or authorisations. Dried, fermented, canned and shelf-stable products, which make up most Japanese exports, are the easiest to bring in.

What Fujisan does

We review the recipe and the Japanese label, identify any additive or claim that needs adjustment, prepare the Swiss label, act as the importer named on the pack and handle the dialogue with the cantonal authority if a control takes place.

This guide is general information prepared by Fujisan Sagl and is not legal advice. Regulations change; we verify the applicable requirements for each product before import.