Swiss Nutrition Policy 2013-2016

The Swiss Nutrition Policy 2013-2016 is a national sectoral policy of Switzerland. Its main objective is all people living in Switzerland to have the ability to eat in a sustainable and healthy manner and to lead a health-promoting lifestyle, independent of their origin, their socioeconomic status or their age.
The Policy aims to eliminate malnutrition. To this end, it provides for (1) safe, sustainably produced foods and adequate food supply: the Swiss population’s supply of safe, high-quality and sustainably produced food is ensured at all times. This is the foundation for a nutritional situation that optimally protects public health; (2) protecting health and preventing disease: the Swiss population’s available food and its eating habits contribute to the preservation and promotion of their health in every stage of life and minimise the emergence of nutrition-related illnesses and their risk factors. To ensure an even energy balance, physical activity (especially the everyday kind) must also be taken heed of; (3) information and communication: the Swiss population is informed about the dietary recommendations as well as (in a general way) the features of a health-promoting and sustainable lifestyle; people understand this information and implement it in their lives. Food labelling supports the population in making conscious and healthy choices; (4) target groups and equal opportunity: all target groups, in particular the socioeconomically disadvantaged population groups as well as infants, children and young adults, are taken into account and addressed via their schools and places of employment. Equal opportunity is accounted for; (5) cooperation, coordination and a multisectoral approach: all concerned parties recognise the importance of national and international as well as multisectoral and interdisciplinary cooperation and the necessity of coordinating activities. They take into account national and international guidelines, recommendations and standards; and (6) research and data availability: research and data acquisition for monitoring and evaluation in the areas of nutrition, health and nutrition-related illnesses have a key role and form the foundation for evidence-based measures.
The document mentions that the federal government with its sectoral policies is just one stakeholder in the process of implementing the Swiss Nutrition Policy. The participation and collaboration of additional stakeholders following a common, consistent approach that considers the respective regional conditions wherever possible is necessary and promising. Stakeholders in implementing the Swiss Nutrition Policy include the Government and policymakers, non-governmental organisations, business community and health professions.