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 Nearly two of the four flu vaccines ordered for Switzerland for the 2026/2027 influenza season are facing delivery delays. Does this mean you could get your shot too late? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260917/will-delays-mean-switzerland-lacks-enough-flu-vaccines-this-winter Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:04:28 +0200 will-delays-mean-switzerland-lacks-enough-flu-vaccines-this-winter Many people have never questioned the safety of milk coming from Swiss cows, which spend their summers grazing on pristine Alpine pastures. But a new university study refutes this wholesome image. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260915/is-swiss-milk-safe-to-drink-or-full-of-rubber Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:16:19 +0200 is-swiss-milk-safe-to-drink-or-full-of-rubber 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 One Swiss lawmker is seeking to tighten the rules pertaining to elderly motorists driving on Swiss roads. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260826/could-switzerland-tighten-rules-around-elderly-drivers Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:29:26 +0200 could-switzerland-tighten-rules-around-elderly-drivers Living in one of the world’s wealthiest nations with a high-quality healthcare system should guarantee access to newest medications. But in Switzerland, this is not necessarily the case. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260813/a-serious-threat-why-are-swiss-patients-denied-access-to-innovative-medicines Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:32:37 +0200 a-serious-threat-why-are-swiss-patients-denied-access-to-innovative-medicines An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Basel caused 26 people to fall ill, one fatally, the Swiss canton reported, with an office block's cooling towers thought to have been the cause. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260804/one-person-dies-26-ill-due-to-legionnaires-outbreak-in-basel Tue, 04 Aug 2026 09:37:58 +0200 one-person-dies-26-ill-due-to-legionnaires-outbreak-in-basel After France adopted a bill to allow assisted dying on Wednesday, here's a look at which European countries already authorise the terminally ill to end their lives. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260716/compare-which-european-countries-allow-assisted-dying Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:25:07 +0200 compare-which-european-countries-allow-assisted-dying Extremely hot weather can cause many people, and not just the elderly, to feel unwell. But Switzerland has strict rules about the use of hospital ERs. How do you know whether the use of emergency services is justified during a heatwave? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260714/when-should-you-go-to-the-emergency-room-in-switzerland-during-a-heatwave Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:19:11 +0200 when-should-you-go-to-the-emergency-room-in-switzerland-during-a-heatwave As high temperatures can diminish or accentuate the undesirable effects of some drugs, Swiss pharmacists urge special caution. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260624/swiss-pharmacists-warn-of-taking-certain-medication-during-heatwave Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:46:44 +0200 swiss-pharmacists-warn-of-taking-certain-medication-during-heatwave The World Health Organisation said Sunday that over 1,300 excess deaths had been recorded in Europe since June 21 in connection with the record-breaking heatwave roasting much of the continent. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260628/more-than-1300-excess-deaths-recorded-in-europe-heatwave-who Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:38:51 +0200 more-than-1300-excess-deaths-recorded-in-europe-heatwave-who If you are a foreigner, understanding Switzerland’s health insurance system may not be easy. And figuring out which ‘out of pocket’ option you should choose can be a real brain twister. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230512/explained-which-swiss-health-insurance-deductible-makes-most-sense Fri, 12 May 2023 11:49:39 +0200 explained-which-swiss-health-insurance-deductible-makes-most-sense Veggies may be healthy, but a new analysis reveals that most of those on sale in Swiss stores are contaminated. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260504/two-thirds-of-vegetables-sold-in-switzerland-contain-toxic-substances Mon, 04 May 2026 14:36:59 +0200 two-thirds-of-vegetables-sold-in-switzerland-contain-toxic-substances Switzerland has been pretty lax concerning the use of helmets for electric scooter riders, but the move to change this is now under way. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260420/switzerland-could-make-helmets-mandatory-for-e-scooters Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:51:43 +0200 switzerland-could-make-helmets-mandatory-for-e-scooters 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 Life expectancy data reveals that people are living longer in Europe on average, but major differences in gender and geography remain. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260315/where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:20:07 +0100 where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Environmental pollution is linked to several mental health disorders in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned, arguing that enforcing legislation would result in Europeans being both less depressed and less anxious. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260305/pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:10:55 +0100 pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Swiss authorities are investigating batches of infant formula, following reports of several babies showing symptoms of possible exposure to a toxin. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260210/switzerland-probing-infant-formula-after-babies-show-symptoms Tue, 10 Feb 2026 09:50:10 +0100 switzerland-probing-infant-formula-after-babies-show-symptoms French food giant Danone recalled batches of infant formula in Britain, Spain, Croatia and Slovenia over the possible presence of a toxin, food safety authorities said on Friday, expanding the measure across Europe. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260206/danone-recalls-baby-formula-in-several-european-countries Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:48:47 +0100 danone-recalls-baby-formula-in-several-european-countries Medical facilities in Switzerland provide a sterile environment for their patients, but getting cured from whatever ails them is not always the outcome they get. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260203/in-which-swiss-hospitals-are-you-most-likely-to-catch-an-infection Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:01:52 +0100 in-which-swiss-hospitals-are-you-most-likely-to-catch-an-infection In Switzerland, you will be penalised for not showing up at your scheduled doctor's visit if you don't cancel it in advance. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260203/whats-the-fine-for-missing-a-doctors-appointment-in-switzerland Tue, 03 Feb 2026 11:03:18 +0100 whats-the-fine-for-missing-a-doctors-appointment-in-switzerland