New from Liechtenstein – Can food from the “Ländle” bear the Swiss cross? – News
contents
The spread “Le Parfait” is new from Liechtenstein. However, the Swiss cross on the tube may remain.
The spread «Le Parfait», the brownish paste from the tube, is well-known throughout Switzerland. Typically Swiss – that’s why a Swiss cross is emblazoned on the tube. However, an “espresso” listener took a closer look and found out: “Le Parfait” is no longer made in Switzerland, but by the Ospelt Group in Liechtenstein. So she wonders if this is compliant with Swissness legislation.
Swissness requirements also apply to Liechtenstein
In this case, the Swiss cross is allowed on the tube, says Jonathan Fisch, spokesman for the Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG. This monitors the Swissness rules for food. “Everything is done properly here,” he says.
The Swissness specifications would regulate when a Swiss cross may be printed on packaging. “And these rules apply to Switzerland, but also to the Principality of Liechtenstein.” This is regulated in the corresponding federal law.
The “Ländle” also has a special position when it comes to Swissness. “Le Parfait” used to be made by Nestlé in Basel. The Ospelt Group has taken over the brand and has been producing the spread in a new facility at the company headquarters in Bendern since 2021.
“In the Geneva region, farms that farm on French territory are also allowed to sell these products as Swiss products.
There is a second area with a similar agreement, says Jonathan Fisch: “In the Geneva region, companies that farm on French territory can also sell these products as Swiss products.”
strict Swissness rules
The Swissness legislation takes into account that, especially in border regions, the border “is not always very precise”. For example, there is overlap in the
Sales markets, says the BLW spokesman. And for such cases there are so-called intergovernmental agreements: “For example, if a farmer in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley also has land in Vorarlberg or in the Principality of Liechtenstein, then he may also sell his products from these fields as Swiss products.”
In principle, however, the Swissness rules are strong. For a product to be a Swiss product, 80 percent of the raw materials must come from Switzerland. In the case of milk and milk products, it is even 100 percent. In addition, the main processing step must be carried out in Switzerland. Swiss raw materials may also not be processed abroad and then sold as Swiss products.