Executive Summary

On May 6, 2026, the Federal Council approved its interim report on food waste. Between 2017 and 2024, food losses in Switzerland decreased by approximately 5 percent. 37 companies and organizations are working together in a cross-sector agreement. The targeted reduction goal of 25 percent by 2025 was missed. For the next phase, the Federal Council plans intensified measures, particularly in households and agriculture.

Persons

  • Federal Council (collective)

Topics

  • Food waste
  • Climate policy and sustainability
  • Economic self-responsibility

Clarus Lead

Missing the 2025 interim target signals that purely voluntary sector measures are insufficient for halving food losses by 2030. The Federal Council continues to rely on self-responsibility but increases pressure through improved data collection and targeted household awareness campaigns – an indication of growing recognition that consumers, not just retail, are key actors.

Detailed Summary

The 2022 action plan aimed at halving preventable food losses by 2030 compared to 2017. The first phase (2022–2025) was based on voluntary initiatives. A central agreement engaged 37 companies and organizations, creating a coordinated platform against food waste.

Measurements by the Zurich University of Teacher Education demonstrate that systematic monitoring and operational reduction measures are effective: the overall decline of 5 percent over seven years is real but concentrates on retail and gastronomy in businesses with active measurement. The targeted interim benchmark of 25 percent reduction by 2025 was not achieved – not because the measures are ineffective, but because their implementation takes longer and lacks broad reach. Households have so far been barely involved.

For the next phase, the Federal Council plans measures to improve data collection (particularly in agriculture), expand the group of actors, and intensify household awareness campaigns. The strategy remains voluntary and cooperative. A new assessment will take place in 2028.

Key Statements

  • Food losses declined 5% from 2017–2024 but miss the 25% interim target by 2025
  • Sector measures are effective in retail and gastronomy but lack comprehensive coverage
  • Households and agriculture require stronger efforts in phase two
  • Federal Council maintains voluntary initiatives but increases pressure through data collection and awareness-raising

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: How does the Zurich University validate the 5% reduction? Is it based on representative samples or only on businesses with voluntary measurement (selection bias)?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: Do the 37 agreement actors benefit from reputation gains without measurable reduction obligations? Are there sanction mechanisms for non-compliance?

  3. Causality: Can the 5% decline be attributed to the action plan or to other factors (price increases, consumer behavior, technological innovations)?

  4. Feasibility: How can households be measurably involved in food loss reduction when private waste management is decentralized and difficult to control?

  5. Risks: Does the delay in achieving the 2030 target create political pressure for regulatory measures instead of voluntary cooperation?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Council – Action Plan Against Food Waste: Interim Report 2026 (https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/OcIVPPPwZSjuVNWpJfFkK)

Supplementary Sources:

  • Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU): Food Losses (www.bafu.admin.ch/foodwaste)

Verification Status: ✓ 06.05.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 06.05.2026