Switzerland continues to shift towards organic farming. Between 2000 and 2017, the percentage of farm land dedicated to organic produce nearly doubled from 7.7% to 14.5%. After four years of decline from 2007 to 2010, Swiss organic farming took off again and has grown every year since, rising 6.6% in 2017. In 2017, the Swiss […]
Tainted tuna uncovered by food fraud investigation
A european food fraud investigation has uncovered tainted tuna. Tuna destined for canning was illegally treated with chemicals to transform it from brown to red, fooling customers into thinking it was fresh. Fresh tuna sells for twice the price of canned tuna. The chemicals used are carbon monoxide and nitrites, the same substances often used […]
Swiss government warns of cancerous palm oil
Today, the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) warned that the colouring substance Scarlet Red (Sudan IV) had been discovered in palm oil. The banned substance was discovered by FSVO staff in Vaud. The synthetic substance can metabolize into carcinogenic amines after it has been ingested. Amines are used to make some dyes. […]
Geneva gets burgers, Lausanne gets lentils.
In Geneva, Wednesday brought news of Burger King moving into the city’s main train station. According to 20 Minutes, the food chain will replace the Buffet de la gare, shown in this photograph taken in 1923. Times are changing, and, so it seems, tastes and ways of eating. By chance the announcement coincided with World Obesity […]
Half of Swiss happy to be tracked to reduce health insurance premiums
Ahead of Forum des 100, a Swiss health conference organised by the newspaper Le Temps, the organisers conducted a survey to see how many would be prepared to have their lifestyles electronically monitored in return for a discount on what they pay for health insurance. According to the results, 47% were happy to have their […]
One in four Swiss military recruits is overweight
20 Minutes. In 2015, 19% of Swiss military recruits were overweight and 6% were obese, according to World Health Organisation measures. The University of Zurich was asked by the Swiss federal office of public health to analyse the BMI (Body Mass Indicator) data of 36,669 male recruits between the ages of 18 and 21. Swiss […]
5 things you need to know about fat
Many doctors and much advertising have promoted low-fat diets and low-fat products. Western society has responded to this by significantly reducing fat consumption, however according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980. Clearly, eating less fat is not making us more healthy. Why is this? 1. Bodies cannot […]
Hidden health hazards in children’s birthday cakes
Do you plan to buy or bake a birthday cake for your child’s birthday? They might look similar but appearances can be deceptive. Understandably most parents want to wow their children with an eye-catching birthday cake and these days shops, supermarkets and patisseries offer a bewildering array of fantastic looking cakes. Add to this the […]
7 foods that make you smarter
Not feeling as sharp witted as you would like? Well here is some food for thought: you are what you eat. Adopting healthy eating habits cannot only do wonders for your waistline but it can also boost your emotional, physical and mental health. Today we are giving you some food for thought by sharing some […]
Tips for a bloating-free Christmas!
It’s party season again! Christmas is the most magical and enjoyable time of the year! But the glum downside is gaining a bit of weight. Still, there is no reason why good health and good times have to roll in opposite directions. Get the formula right and let the good times, and good health, come […]
