Recognizing potential for novel foods earlier
Published: Tuesday, Feb 27th 2024, 12:20
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In Switzerland, the potential of novel foods is to be recognized earlier. Parliament wants tests to be carried out at an early stage with this aim in mind. The protection of health and food safety should have top priority.
This is the motion by former National Councillor Meret Schneider (Greens/ZH), which the Council of States passed without opposition on Tuesday. Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger (center/LU) said on behalf of the preliminary consultation committee that the current lengthy approval process inhibits innovation.
The responsible committee of the Council of States assumed that such a test option would promote Switzerland's innovative capacity in the agricultural and food sector.
Novel foods must be able to be tested with legal certainty so that companies can see whether the investment in such a novel food is worthwhile, Schneider justified the motion. Today, novel foods can only be placed on the market if they have been approved by the EU Commission or the federal government. This also applies to pre-market tests.
The Federal Council also supported the motion. The international market for novel foods is dynamic, said Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. The Federal Council is now required to amend the Foodstuffs and Utility Articles Ordinance.
©Keystone/SDA
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