Agribusiness

Explainations of how food gets onto plates via large companies, including responsible sourcing of raw materials, labour rights, food safety and quality.

How fillers and flavours help reduce cocoa in chocolate treats

This content was published on Sep 26, 2025 Record prices of cocoa beans have boosted the development and adoption of cheaper replacement options that provide the same chocolate taste for less.

Food supply chains

How fillers and flavours help reduce cocoa in chocolate treats

This content was published on Sep 26, 2025 Record prices of cocoa beans have boosted the development and adoption of cheaper replacement options that provide the same chocolate taste for less.

The meltdown at Nestlé

This content was published on Sep 22, 2025 The scandal at the Swiss food giant raises questions about its corporate culture and the health of its conglomerate model.

Why bird flu could threaten traditional Swiss cheeses

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Switzerland’s cows have dodged the global H5N1 bird flu so far. But if it hits dairy herds, the country’s iconic cheeses could be at risk.

US consumers will pay price for tariff hike, warns top Swiss trader

This content was published on Jul 26, 2025 Global competition is on the rise and some low value-added activities have already left Switzerland, warns Sébastien Landerretche.

Does your country have enough food reserves to withstand a crisis?

This content was published on Jul 14, 2025 Despite the increasing risks of war, unpredictable weather and economic shocks to food security, only 30 countries are actively using grain reserves. Switzerland is one of them.

Child labour risks in chocolate supply chains go beyond just cocoa

This content was published on Jun 18, 2025 While cocoa gets the most attention from the chocolate industry when it comes to eliminating child labour, other ingredients like sugar, nuts or vanilla are also high risk.

A limited edition of 500 bars of Lindt's Dubai chocolate went on sale at the Lindt Museum in Kilchberg on November 16, 2024.

Dubai chocolate trend leaves Swiss chocolatiers competing for pistachios

This content was published on Jun 12, 2025 The TikTok-fuelled popularity of Dubai chocolate has prompted Swiss chocolate companies to develop their own versions, spiking demand for pistachios.

Swiss food labels must declare animal suffering from July

This content was published on Jun 4, 2025 From July 1, food labels in Switzerland will have to disclose whether products of animal origin involve painful practices. The Swiss federal government has approved a series of ordinances requiring the labelling of meat, eggs and foie gras.

Selling Swiss cheese: ‘The main problem with the US today is uncertainty’

This content was published on May 31, 2025 Planned customs hikes are prompting US importers of Swiss cheese to adopt a wait-and-see approach, says Philippe Bardet.

Egg shortages force food industry to think outside the coop

This content was published on Apr 9, 2025 Culling of chickens due to bird flu and increasing demand has led to a spike in egg prices and given vegan alternatives something to crow about.

The vanilla connection – from Madagascar fields to Swiss flavors

This content was published on Apr 8, 2025 Why is vanilla so expensive? Our documentary follows the volatile journey of vanilla from the lush fields of Madagascar to Switzerland.

Food safety

Can Switzerland lower agricultural tariffs to negotiate a better deal with the US?

This content was published on Sep 15, 2025 The European Union, which wrangled a much lower US tariff, offered concessions on certain food imports. Is this an option for Switzerland?

Food companies are making treats unhealthier to win over Gen Z

This content was published on Sep 3, 2025 Food firms are counting on Gen Z to grow their profits and are exploiting their sweet tooth and penchant for social media trends to boost sales.

Why bird flu could threaten traditional Swiss cheeses

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Switzerland’s cows have dodged the global H5N1 bird flu so far. But if it hits dairy herds, the country’s iconic cheeses could be at risk.

family Waser produces "Niederbauer" alpine cheese

Are EU inspectors headed for Swiss farms?

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 A new food agreement with the EU opens up export opportunities for Swiss agriculture – but it also sets some alarm bells ringing for farmers.

Does your country have enough food reserves to withstand a crisis?

Vegan sausages at a supermarket in Switzerland.

Swiss court bans animal names for vegan meat substitutes

This content was published on May 5, 2025 Plant-based meat alternatives must no longer use names directly referencing animals, such as ‘vegan chicken’ or ‘vegan pork’.

Opinion

How regenerative farming and AI can drive sustainable agriculture

This content was published on Jan 8, 2025 Can regenerative farming and artificial intelligence help us resolve the contradiction between sustainable and productive agriculture?

Raw milk: regulatory loophole gives Swiss the freedom to skip pasteurisation

This content was published on Oct 8, 2024 The sale of raw milk is banned in some parts of the world but Switzerland counts on labelling and personal responsibility.

Cosmetic pesticides are making it to your apple. Is that a bad thing?

This content was published on Sep 12, 2024 Plant growth hormones are widely used in fruit cultivation to give consumers uniform, blemish-free products. But with little published research, the risks are as yet unknown.

Swiss farms make space for beans and lentils

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 Plant breeders, scientists and farmers in Zurich’s countryside try to make the case for legume cultivation.

A hand wearing a rubber glove holding a gauge for testing for listeria.

Consumers are still buying food which makes them sick. How come?

This content was published on Nov 11, 2023 One in ten people in the world falls ill after eating contaminated food, and 420,000 die every year. Are governments and companies doing enough?

The meltdown at Nestlé

This content was published on Sep 22, 2025 The scandal at the Swiss food giant raises questions about its corporate culture and the health of its conglomerate model.

What matters most in your choice of meat products and why?

Certain American farming practices are banned in other countries: cattle are treated with growth-promoting hormones, for example. Would this put you off from buying American produce or is price the key factor?

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Sep 16, 2025

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Can Switzerland lower agricultural tariffs to negotiate a better deal with the US?

This content was published on Sep 15, 2025 The European Union, which wrangled a much lower US tariff, offered concessions on certain food imports. Is this an option for Switzerland?

Whistleblowing platform led to dismissal of Nestlé CEO

This content was published on Sep 4, 2025 Laurent Freixe was removed from the top job at Nestlé because of an “undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate”. It was the company’s anonymous reporting platform Speak Up that first raised the alarm.

Food companies are making treats unhealthier to win over Gen Z

This content was published on Sep 3, 2025 Food firms are counting on Gen Z to grow their profits and are exploiting their sweet tooth and penchant for social media trends to boost sales.

Why bird flu could threaten traditional Swiss cheeses

This content was published on Aug 22, 2025 Switzerland’s cows have dodged the global H5N1 bird flu so far. But if it hits dairy herds, the country’s iconic cheeses could be at risk.

Are EU inspectors headed for Swiss farms?

This content was published on Aug 7, 2025 A new food agreement with the EU opens up export opportunities for Swiss agriculture – but it also sets some alarm bells ringing for farmers.

US consumers will pay price for tariff hike, warns top Swiss trader

This content was published on Jul 26, 2025 Global competition is on the rise and some low value-added activities have already left Switzerland, warns Sébastien Landerretche.

Have you experienced food shortages or food price spikes in your country recently?

The rise in conflicts, unpredictable weather and economic shocks have made food supply chains more vulnerable to disruption.

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Jul 14, 2025

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Does your country have enough food reserves to withstand a crisis?

Journalist Anand Chandrasekhar sitting at a table, holding up a picture of a chocolate bar.

Truth or tale: is Swiss chocolate tainted by child labour?

This content was published on Jul 7, 2025 A reader asked if it was true that children are involved in cocoa production for the Swiss chocolate industry. Swissinfo tried to get to the bottom of this complex issue.

How important are common resources in today’s world?

In a globalised world, are collectively-managed land or resources – so-called commons – still relevant?

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Jun 20, 2025

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Elinor Ostrom receives the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

The Swiss mountain village that inspired a Nobel Prize and digital governance

This content was published on Jun 20, 2025 A small Swiss mountain village has become the focus of scientific attention thanks to Nobel Prize winner Elinor Ostrom.

Child labour risks in chocolate supply chains go beyond just cocoa

Dubai chocolate trend leaves Swiss chocolatiers competing for pistachios

This content was published on Jun 12, 2025 The TikTok-fuelled popularity of Dubai chocolate has prompted Swiss chocolate companies to develop their own versions, spiking demand for pistachios.

Swiss food labels must declare animal suffering from July

Ukraine’s once pioneering agriculture drone industry is hoping to return to the skies

This content was published on Jun 4, 2025 Restrictions due to the war have killed off growth in an industry that is hoping for a renaissance once the fighting is over.

Selling Swiss cheese: ‘The main problem with the US today is uncertainty’

This content was published on May 31, 2025 Planned customs hikes are prompting US importers of Swiss cheese to adopt a wait-and-see approach, says Philippe Bardet.

Swiss court bans animal names for vegan meat substitutes

This content was published on May 5, 2025 Plant-based meat alternatives must no longer use names directly referencing animals, such as ‘vegan chicken’ or ‘vegan pork’.

Egg shortages force food industry to think outside the coop

This content was published on Apr 9, 2025 Culling of chickens due to bird flu and increasing demand has led to a spike in egg prices and given vegan alternatives something to crow about.

The vanilla connection – from Madagascar fields to Swiss flavors

This content was published on Apr 8, 2025 Why is vanilla so expensive? Our documentary follows the volatile journey of vanilla from the lush fields of Madagascar to Switzerland.

Are food firms’ efforts to reduce cow fart emissions a lot of hot air?

This content was published on Mar 4, 2025 To reduce their carbon footprint, food companies are betting on cow feed that produces less methane. Consumers still need some convincing.

Should cows be fed additives to reduce the climate change impact of livestock farming?

Food companies are trying to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by getting suppliers to give their cows special methane-reducing feed.

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Mar 4, 2025

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‘Hero is perceived as a Swiss brand … only in Switzerland’

This content was published on Jan 26, 2025 Hero Group is known for its small jams found on breakfast tables in hotels. CEO Rob Versloot talks about being Swiss and downsizing its portfolio to remain competitive.

Opinion

How regenerative farming and AI can drive sustainable agriculture

This content was published on Jan 8, 2025 Can regenerative farming and artificial intelligence help us resolve the contradiction between sustainable and productive agriculture?

Lab-grown cocoa is coming soon – from Switzerland

This content was published on Dec 24, 2024 Chocolate made in the lab is exciting for the food industry but it raises ethical, cultural and environmental questions.

Child labour is not just the chocolate industry’s problem

This content was published on Dec 11, 2024 There’s a dirty secret lurking behind the rich aroma of a morning coffee, the shine on gold jewellery, and the wafting smoke of a lit cigarette.

Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?

Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.

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Oct 8, 2024

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Raw milk: regulatory loophole gives Swiss the freedom to skip pasteurisation

This content was published on Oct 8, 2024 The sale of raw milk is banned in some parts of the world but Switzerland counts on labelling and personal responsibility.

Cosmetic pesticides are making it to your apple. Is that a bad thing?

Swiss farms make space for beans and lentils

This content was published on Jul 22, 2024 Plant breeders, scientists and farmers in Zurich’s countryside try to make the case for legume cultivation.

Consumers are still buying food which makes them sick. How come?

This content was published on Nov 11, 2023 One in ten people in the world falls ill after eating contaminated food, and 420,000 die every year. Are governments and companies doing enough?

Artificial sweeteners: when ‘zero’ is not the way to go

This content was published on Jul 22, 2023 With the World Health Organization (WHO) counselling against the use of artificial sweeteners, what options are left on the table?