05/07/2025
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.
Read more on the PBN website.
