Supplements in Switzerland: law, standards, and science – NutriOne

The Swiss market for food supplements is one of the most demanding in Europe. The rules that apply there sometimes differ from those in force in the European Union, and consumers have little visibility into what these differences practically entail.

Here's what you need to understand before buying.

The Swiss Legal Framework

In Switzerland, food supplements are governed by the Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles (ODAlOUs) and its implementing ordinances. The competent authority is the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO).

Food supplements are not medicines. They cannot make therapeutic claims — meaning they cannot be presented as treating, curing, or preventing a disease. However, nutritional and functional claims are allowed, provided they are scientifically validated.

Switzerland largely aligns with the European regulation on health claims (EC No 1924/2006), with some specificities of its own.

What Certifications Truly Guarantee

When a manufacturer displays GMP, HACCP, or ISO 22000 certification, it means that their manufacturing processes have been audited by an independent body.

GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) guarantees that the product is manufactured under controlled conditions, with traceable raw materials, calibrated equipment, and documented quality control procedures.

HACCP is a hazard analysis method applied to critical points in the manufacturing process — microbiological contamination, cross-contamination, non-compliance of dosages. It is mandatory in the European food industry.

ISO 22000 is an international standard for food safety management. It integrates HACCP principles into a global management system.

These certifications do not guarantee a product's effectiveness. They guarantee that what is indicated on the label matches what is in the pouch, and that the product has been manufactured under safe conditions.

What Science Allows — and What It Doesn't

Some active ingredients benefit from a solid level of evidence for specific claims, validated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Others are the subject of promising but not yet conclusive studies.

Examples of EFSA-validated claims, applicable in Switzerland:

— Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
— Magnesium contributes to normal muscle and nerve function.
— Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal immune function.
— DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function.

These claims are not commercial promises. They are precise formulations, validated after evaluation of available evidence, for defined dosages.

Questions to Ask Before Buying

Three simple questions allow you to assess a manufacturer's rigor:

— Are the dosages of each active ingredient indicated, with a reference to the recommended daily intake?
— Does the manufacturing site have verifiable certification (GMP, HACCP, ISO)?
— Are the ingredients traceable — can their geographical origin be known?

If the answer to any of these three questions is negative or evasive, it's a red flag.

The NutriOne Approach

NutriOne formulas are manufactured in a GMP, HACCP, and ISO 22000 certified facility, with ingredients sourced within the European Union. Each active ingredient is selected based on its relevance to the chosen objectives and dosed according to clinical standards.

Designed in Geneva, by a team that worked with a doctor and a naturopath on the creation of the formulas.

→ Create your formula — 2 minutes, free

Written by the NutriOne team