In Switzerland, food supplements are legally foods, not medicines. They need no approval or notification before sale: the manufacturer is responsible for their safety, the FDHA Ordinance on Food Supplements (VNem) sets permitted substances and maximum amounts, and cantonal food inspectors carry out spot checks. "Swiss made" is a protected indication of source: for food products, the processing that gives the product its essential character must take place in Switzerland, and at least 80% of the raw materials by weight must be Swiss where those raw materials exist in Switzerland.
Key facts: supplements in Switzerland
- Legal status: food supplements are foods that complement the diet with vitamins, minerals or other substances in measured doses (tablets, capsules, powders). They may not be presented as remedies for any disease.
- No approval needed: except for novel foods, GMOs or health claims that are not on the official list. No product notification is required in Switzerland.
- Maximum amounts: the VNem sets upper limits per daily dose for vitamins and minerals; they were revised on 1 July 2020 on the basis of a new scientific model.
- Health claims: only claims listed in Annex 14 of the Food Information Ordinance (LIV) or individually authorised by the FSVO are allowed, for example "vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system".
- "Swiss made" for foods: at least 80% of the weight of raw materials that exist in Switzerland must be Swiss, and the essential processing step must happen in Switzerland. Raw materials that Switzerland cannot supply, such as most vitamins and tropical fruit, are excluded from the calculation.
What does "Swiss made" mean for supplements?
"Swiss", "Made in Switzerland" and the Swiss cross are indications of source. No authorisation is needed to use them, but they must be accurate: if a product says Switzerland on the outside, it must meet the legal criteria for Swiss origin. These "Swissness" rules have applied since 2017 under the Trade Mark Protection Act and a specific ordinance for foodstuffs.
For supplements, the practical consequence is that the essential manufacturing, such as mixing, tableting and coating, takes place in Switzerland. Most vitamins and minerals are produced by a small number of specialised suppliers worldwide, and fruits such as acerola do not grow in Switzerland, so these raw materials are excluded from the 80% calculation. "Swiss made" therefore tells you where the product was made and under which legal framework, not that every ingredient was grown in the Alps.
How are supplements regulated in Switzerland?
The Swiss system relies on self-control. Manufacturers, importers and sellers must make sure their products are safe and comply with food law. The cantonal food control authorities, led by the cantonal chemists, check products and companies by sampling. Unlike medicines, supplements do not go through an official safety review before they reach the shelf. The Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO/BLV) states this clearly and also notes that Switzerland has no reporting system for side effects of supplements.
| Topic | Food supplement | Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Food law (VNem, LIV) | Therapeutic Products Act |
| Approval before sale | Not required (exceptions: novel foods, unlisted claims) | Required (Swissmedic) |
| Allowed statements | Listed nutrition and health claims only | Indications approved for the product |
| Who checks | Manufacturer self-control; cantonal inspectors by sampling | Swissmedic and cantonal authorities |
The same principles apply in the EU under Directive 2002/46/EC, and Swiss law has been aligned with it in many areas. Swiss maximum amounts and listed claims can differ in detail, which is one reason a product sold in Switzerland should be labelled for the Swiss market.
Are natural supplements better? Bioavailability explained
"Natural" is not a regulated term for supplements, and it says nothing on its own about quality or effect. What matters is the form of each nutrient, its dose and how well your body can absorb it, which is what bioavailability means: the share of a nutrient that is absorbed and becomes available for the body's functions.
- Nutrient form: for example, magnesium citrate is generally absorbed better than magnesium oxide, and vitamin E occurs as natural d-alpha-tocopherol or synthetic dl-alpha-tocopherol.
- With or without food: vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble and are better absorbed with a meal that contains some fat.
- Interactions: calcium and iron compete for absorption; vitamin C improves the absorption of iron from plant foods.
- Your own body: age, stomach acid, gut health and some medicines change how much you absorb, especially for vitamin B12.
Plant extracts such as acerola can be a natural source of vitamin C. That is a fact about the ingredient, not proof of a stronger effect. If you are interested in certified organic products specifically, see our guide to what "organic" means for supplements.
How to choose a quality supplement in Switzerland
There is no official Swiss test or seal that rates supplements, so use the label and the seller's information:
- Dose and % NRV per daily serving are clearly stated. Amounts close to 100% of the nutrient reference value (NRV) are usually enough for a complement; very high doses should be a medical decision.
- Claims use authorised wording such as "contributes to the normal function of…". Promises to heal or to replace medicines are not allowed for foods and are a red flag.
- A full address of the responsible company, a batch number and a best-before date are printed.
- Your diet and allergies: vegan, lactose or gluten information is stated on the label.
- Total intake: add up all your products. Vitamin D, vitamin A, iron, zinc and selenium are the nutrients most often overdosed by combining supplements.
- Where you buy: the FSVO warns that products from foreign websites or sellers with incomplete contact details carry the highest risk of overdosed, forbidden or undeclared ingredients.
And before choosing a product, ask whether you need one at all. Swiss authorities consider supplements unnecessary for most healthy people with a varied diet; our article on which dietary supplements are most useful explains who benefits.
How Sanbera supplements are made in Switzerland
Sanbera is a Swiss brand. Every Sanbera supplement is manufactured by Dixa in St. Gallen and packed by VEBO, a Swiss social enterprise that integrates people with health impairments into working life. For every product sold, Sanbera donates a fixed amount to the ZEWO-certified Biovision Foundation. You can read more about these choices in what makes a supplement sustainable.
All formulas are vegan and combine vitamins and minerals with fruit and plant extracts in a two-step routine. Per daily serving of 3 tablets:
- Daily Essential Women: 12 vitamins and 6 minerals with acerola and black elderberry, for example vitamin D 3.22 µg (64% NRV), vitamin C 43.1 mg (54% NRV), iron 7 mg (50% NRV) and zinc 2.5 mg (25% NRV).
- Daily Essential Men: 12 vitamins and 6 minerals with acerola and guarana (a source of caffeine), for example vitamin D 3 µg (60% NRV), vitamin C 51.8 mg (65% NRV) and zinc 4 mg (40% NRV).
- Nightly Reload Women and Men: vitamin C and eight B vitamins for the evening, with acerola, caffeine-free green tea extract and cranberry and bilberry (women) or red grape (men); no minerals and no vitamins A, D or E.
Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. Vitamin E, zinc and selenium contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. The Daily Essential formulas are taken with breakfast or lunch, which helps the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins. The background to the formulas is explained in the science behind Sanbera.
If you are pregnant, take medication or have a medical condition, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement.
Frequently asked questions
Do food supplements need approval in Switzerland?
No. Food supplements are foods and need neither approval nor notification before sale in Switzerland. Exceptions are novel foods, genetically modified ingredients and health claims that are not on the official list. Manufacturers and importers are responsible for safety and compliance, and the cantonal food control authorities check products by sampling.
What does "Swiss made" mean on a supplement?
It means the processing that gives the product its essential character, such as mixing and tableting, takes place in Switzerland, and that at least 80% of the raw materials by weight are Swiss where those raw materials are available in Switzerland. Ingredients Switzerland cannot supply, such as most vitamins and tropical fruit, are excluded from the calculation.
Which food supplements are made in Switzerland?
Many Swiss brands manufacture in Switzerland, often with specialised contract manufacturers. Look for "Made in Switzerland" together with a Swiss company address on the label, and check that claims use authorised wording. Sanbera's Daily Essential and Nightly Reload formulas are manufactured by Dixa in St. Gallen and packed by the social enterprise VEBO.
What does bioavailability mean for supplements?
Bioavailability is the share of a nutrient that your body absorbs and can use. It depends on the chemical form of the nutrient, whether you take it with food, interactions with other nutrients and your own digestion. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E, for example, are absorbed better with a meal that contains some fat.
Is it safe to order supplements online from abroad?
It carries more risk. The Swiss authorities warn that products from foreign websites or sellers with incomplete contact details are more likely to contain overdosed, forbidden or undeclared substances, and they may not meet Swiss rules. Buy from sellers with a full company address and products labelled for Switzerland, and check total doses.
Sources
- Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO/BLV): Food supplements: basics and legal aspects
- Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO/BLV): Nutrition and health claims
- Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO/BLV): Maximum amounts for vitamins and minerals
- Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI): Criteria for determining the origin of foodstuffs
- Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI): Use of Swissness for advertising purposes
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Food supplements
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.