Since the total revision of Swiss food law, which came into force on May 1, 2017, food may be placed on the market if it is safe and meets the food law requirements. They no longer have to be described in food regulation or be approved by the FSVO (Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office). Novel foods are an exception. Novel foods are foods that were not used to any considerable extent in Switzerland or in any member state of the EU before May 15, 1997 (see Art. 15 LGV). Since they are at least new to the domestic menu, there is no sufficient knowledge with regard to their safety and compatibility. In general, Novel Food is divided into two categories:
- Novel traditional foods
- Novel foods
Novel traditional foods are foods that are traditionally consumed outside of Switzerland and the EU (e.g. Cañihua).
We support you in clarifying when and where approval is necessary and which foods have to be registered. We accompany you in the approval process for new types of food. This includes:
- Clarify the Novel Food Status
- Support in compiling the complete, correct documentation for the submission of the entry clarification
- Support in compiling the documents and records for submission for the substantive evaluation of the application
- Ensure that novel foods are introduced to the market appropriatly
- Support the complex process until approval of the Novel Food