Post by sianski

This is a very bold decision which I hope will have a massive impact on the reduction of meat consumption. The Swiss Federal Council is insisting that truthful labelling will allow informed choice.

Switzerland Rolls Out Labels Flagging Animal Suffering In Food Products
Animal-based foods produced using certain painful practices must include this information on the label

BY LIAM PRITCHETT
3RD JULY 2025

Switzerland’s Federal Council has introduced new legislation requiring all foods produced by animals who experienced “painful procedures” to declare this information on the label.

The Federal Council, which is the highest executive authority in the country, said that the change in labeling requirements will increase food industry transparency and empower consumers to make fully informed purchasing decisions when it comes to animal products.

Meat, eggs, and milk must now be labeled if they come from animals who experienced painful procedures without anaesthesia. These procedures include dehorning, castration, debeaking, and the removal of frogs’ legs, all common practices within factory farming. The new rules will apply to all businesses that sell the foods, including restaurants.

While the force-feeding of ducks and geese for foie gras has been banned in Switzerland for more than 40 years, the practice is permitted abroad. This new legislation will also apply to imports, and foie gras products sold in Switzerland will need to be labeled accordingly.

The new legislation has applied since July 1, 2025, with a transitional period of two years