The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Anand Chandrasekhar

Journalist and online editor

I cover food and agribusiness and have a special interest in sustainable supply chains, food safety and quality, as well emerging players and trends in the food industry. A background in forestry and conservation biology led me down the path of environmental advocacy. Journalism and Switzerland made me a neutral observer who holds companies accountable for their actions.

Photo of man speaking

More

Food safety

Does infant formula have too many ingredients?

This content was published on Several European countries, including in Switzerland, have reported illnesses that may be linked to toxic contamination in infant formula.

Read more: Does infant formula have too many ingredients?
a soy field stands next to a fragment of the Amazon forest at the region of Cipoal in Santarem, Para state, Brazil.

More

Agribusiness

Sustainable soy: when collaborating to protect the Amazon backfires  

This content was published on Commodity firms working together to source deforestation-free soy in Brazil are being investigated under anti-cartel laws. They also risk losing tax benefits due to pressure from powerful farming lobbies.  

Read more: Sustainable soy: when collaborating to protect the Amazon backfires  
shop sign

More

Agribusiness

When Swiss food start-ups fail  

This content was published on Switzerland promotes itself as a global hub for food technology and innovation, but it is not always easy for start-ups to gain a foothold.

Read more: When Swiss food start-ups fail  
shark meat

More

Food safety

Shark meat sold in Switzerland is contaminated with methylmercury

This content was published on Did you know you can find shark meat on the shelves of some Swiss grocery stories? They are rarely labeled as sharks, making it difficult for customers to know what fish they're buying and eating.

Read more: Shark meat sold in Switzerland is contaminated with methylmercury
shark

More

Food safety

Why is endangered shark ending up on Swiss plates? 

This content was published on New regulations have restricted the import of shark meat but it still finds its way on to Swiss plates due to mislabelling and the clandestine trade.

Read more: Why is endangered shark ending up on Swiss plates? 
Freixe

More

Workplace

Whistleblowing platform led to dismissal of Nestlé CEO

This content was published on 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.

Read more: Whistleblowing platform led to dismissal of Nestlé CEO
Journalist Anand Chandrasekhar sitting at a table, holding up a picture of a chocolate bar.

More

Global trade

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

This content was published on 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.

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

Debates

More

Debate
Hosted by: Anand Chandrasekhar

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?

8 Likes
13 Comments
View the discussion

More

Debate
Hosted by: Anand Chandrasekhar

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.

2 Comments
View the discussion

More

Debate
Hosted by: Anand Chandrasekhar

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.

6 Likes
8 Comments
View the discussion

More

Debate
Hosted by: Anand Chandrasekhar

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.

117 Likes
66 Comments
View the discussion

More

Debate
Hosted by: Anand Chandrasekhar

Is there anything about food or farming that you’re concerned about?

There's so much choice when it comes to food shopping but deciding what to put in your food basket has become complicated.

36 Comments
View the discussion

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR