https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Switzerland’s population already enjoys one of the world’s highest life expectancies. But the government says a better diet can help them stay healthier even longer. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240912/local-and-seasonal-what-swiss-the-government-wants-you-to-eat Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:59:40 +0200 local-and-seasonal-what-swiss-the-government-wants-you-to-eat One of the issues the Swiss will vote on this month is the so-called Food Initiative which, among other things, is pushing for high-quality, locally-grown food supply. What is the situation in Switzerland in this regard right now? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260903/just-how-healthy-is-the-food-in-switzerland Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:06:06 +0200 just-how-healthy-is-the-food-in-switzerland Increasingly warmer weather is affecting many aspects of life, including one of Switzerland’s iconic products - mountain cheese. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260812/how-is-climate-change-impacting-swiss-alpine-cheese Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:44:12 +0200 how-is-climate-change-impacting-swiss-alpine-cheese Yes, Switzerland is known for its mouth-watering chocolate. But there are plenty of other sweet treats that you should definitely sample at least once. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230810/five-classic-swiss-treats-you-need-to-try-that-arent-chocolate Thu, 10 Aug 2023 10:55:32 +0200 five-classic-swiss-treats-you-need-to-try-that-arent-chocolate Switzerland is best known for cheese and chocolate, but there is much more to discover in culinary terms across its four language areas. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230421/the-16-regional-food-delicacies-from-around-switzerland-you-need-to-try Fri, 21 Apr 2023 17:21:34 +0200 the-16-regional-food-delicacies-from-around-switzerland-you-need-to-try It is easy to fall in love with chocolate and cheese, but loving another Swiss favourite — Rivella — may take some time. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230113/rivella-what-is-the-milk-whey-drink-the-swiss-love-so-much Fri, 13 Jan 2023 15:41:57 +0100 rivella-what-is-the-milk-whey-drink-the-swiss-love-so-much It is a paradox in a country which is almost synonymous with the word ‘cheese’ that an increasing number of consumers opt for imported, rather than domestic, product. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230808/why-do-swiss-consumers-prefer-to-buy-foreign-cheese Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:55:56 +0200 why-do-swiss-consumers-prefer-to-buy-foreign-cheese Unlike France and Italy, Switzerland is not known for its gastronomy. But if you live here, you have probably heard some of these myths. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210326/six-common-myths-about-swiss-food-you-need-to-stop-believing Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:20:56 +0100 six-common-myths-about-swiss-food-you-need-to-stop-believing All major Swiss supermarkets have products designated as ‘bio’, which refers to their ‘organic’ farming or manufacturing methods. But what exactly does this label represent? https://www.thelocal.ch/20240624/explained-what-does-the-bio-label-on-foods-in-switzerland-really-mean Mon, 24 Jun 2024 11:31:47 +0200 explained-what-does-the-bio-label-on-foods-in-switzerland-really-mean A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260228/culture-politics-food-what-makes-europeans-proud-of-their-country Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:49:34 +0100 culture-politics-food-what-makes-europeans-proud-of-their-country An Italian national has been arrested after attempting to smuggle dozens of panettones into Switzerland as part of an undeclared 100kg cross-border haul. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251217/italian-caught-trying-to-smuggle-66-panettones-across-swiss-border Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:17:44 +0100 italian-caught-trying-to-smuggle-66-panettones-across-swiss-border It's official: the best cheese in the world is Swiss. As if it was in doubt? An 18-month-old Swiss Gruyère AOP beat out more than 5,000 participants from 46 countries for the honor of world's best cheese. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251117/swiss-gruyere-named-worlds-best-cheese Mon, 17 Nov 2025 13:29:26 +0100 swiss-gruyere-named-worlds-best-cheese Switzerland has many excellent restaurants, but is the food they serve consistently safe to eat? A new report suggests restaurant goers should take care. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250509/do-restaurants-in-switzerland-have-a-hygiene-problem Fri, 09 May 2025 13:59:39 +0200 do-restaurants-in-switzerland-have-a-hygiene-problem Switzerland’s food supply is among the safest in the world, but it doesn’t mean some ‘toxic’ components can’t get into your system. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241114/how-can-you-check-for-warnings-of-food-contamination-in-switzerland Thu, 14 Nov 2024 17:21:39 +0100 how-can-you-check-for-warnings-of-food-contamination-in-switzerland A court in Switzerland ruled Friday that animal names cannot be used to describe vegan products and that terms such as "plant-based chicken" or "vegan pork" constitute consumer deception. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250502/vegan-pork-swiss-court-bans-animal-names-for-plant-based-products Fri, 02 May 2025 18:42:04 +0200 vegan-pork-swiss-court-bans-animal-names-for-plant-based-products The British government has introduced temporary restrictions on travellers from European countries from bringing meat and dairy produce – even in sandwiches – into the country. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250415/travellers-from-europe-banned-from-taking-meat-and-dairy-products-into-uk Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:33:18 +0200 travellers-from-europe-banned-from-taking-meat-and-dairy-products-into-uk If you shop in one of Switzerland’s supermarkets, you will not find any unpasteurised milk. But that doesn’t mean you can’t buy it elsewhere in the country. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250306/can-raw-milk-be-sold-legally-in-switzerland Thu, 06 Mar 2025 16:08:15 +0100 can-raw-milk-be-sold-legally-in-switzerland Have you ever wondered where the bread and other bakery items you buy in Switzerland come from? From February 1st, you will know. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250131/switzerland-rolls-out-new-law-around-origin-of-baked-goods Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:26:31 +0100 switzerland-rolls-out-new-law-around-origin-of-baked-goods If you have been waiting with bated breath to know the winners of the 2024 Swiss Cheese Awards competition, the results are now ready. https://www.thelocal.ch/20241007/revealed-the-best-three-swiss-cheeses-in-2024 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:40:03 +0200 revealed-the-best-three-swiss-cheeses-in-2024 One of Switzerland’s most iconic cheeses — the Emmentaler — is in a hole, and now a court must rule on its fate. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240605/swiss-court-to-rule-whether-holes-in-emmental-cheese-are-too-small Wed, 05 Jun 2024 17:15:00 +0200 swiss-court-to-rule-whether-holes-in-emmental-cheese-are-too-small