Researchers at Bern’s University of Applied Sciences have done tests showing that modern petrol cars produce up to 100 times more particulate matter than diesel ones. The team has been testing exhaust emissions in a facility in Nidau for three years. The work has involved the collaboration of four organisations. According to a report by […]
Swiss authorities concerned about health impact of certain chemicals
20 Minutes. A pilot bio-monitoring project in Switzerland will measure traces of pollutants and micronutrient and endocrine disruptors in organic samples. According to 20 Minutes, the impact of certain chemical products worries the authorities. The pilot project was launched last week by the executive branch of Switzerland’s government, known as the Federal Council. Depending on the […]
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 […]
DNA tests planned for Swiss steak
A process sometimes used to solve crimes will soon be used to identify the origin of steak in Switzerland. Proviande, an association of Swiss meat producers, recently announced plans to DNA test meat to ensure that meat labelled ‘Swiss’ is definitely Swiss. Starting in spring 2018, samples will be taken from cattle and calves. As […]
Makeup products in Switzerland found to contain carcinogens
The Swiss cantonal association of chemists (ACCS) found that 15 out of 184 samples of certain makeup products tested did not comply with the law, and 11 products have been banned from sale. The makeups examined include mascaras, eyeliners and eye shadows. Tests were done at importers, department stores, parfumeries, pharmacies, discount stores and beauty salons. […]
A war on vegetarian sausages has started in Switzerland
20 Minutes. A member of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) from Bern has proposed a ban on the use of terms associated with meat products when describing vegetable equivalents. Saveloys, sausages and schnitzel would become terms reserved exclusively for meat products. The number of vegetarian products in Swiss supermarkets designed to substitute meat has taken off. […]
Birch pollen season has started early
Le Matin. A mild March has meant early pollen. Regula Gehrig from Swiss Meteo told aha!, a Swiss allergy specialist, that birch pollen will arrive a week earlier this year and last until May. “Birch pollen contains proteins which trigger strong allergies” said Georg Schäppi, a director at aha! And because the pollen particles are relatively […]
The real reason Swiss drugs are so expensive
24 Heures. In Switzerland, a 16-pack of 500mg Dafalgan Odis (Paracetamol) costs CHF 8.60. A comparable French product, Doliprane, costs 1.12 euros for a box of 12 tablets the same size. 12 tablets of 500 mg of Algifor (Ibuprofen) costs CHF 9.90 compared to 2.50 euros for a similar box of Advil in France. Another product, Nivea […]
Young man dies of measles in Switzerland
20 Minutes. “This is a tragic but fortunately rare case in Switzerland” Daniel Koch, of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) told the Tages-Anzeiger this morning, regarding the death of a young man in January. This is the first measles death in Switzerland since 2009 when a 12 year old girl died in Geneva. The FOPH […]
Swiss report recommends eating more foods typically high in saturated fats
On 16 March 2017, the results of a survey on Swiss eating habits were released. The survey, dubbed MenuCH, quizzed 2,000 Swiss residents between the ages of 18 and 75 on what they eat. The report shows that Swiss meat consumption is at unhealthy levels. Average weekly consumption of 780g far exceeds the recommended level […]
