Executive Summary

The Federal Department of the Interior (FDI) is opening a consultation on a limited-term revision of food regulations regarding PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances). The regulation is to apply for three years and will permit the mixing of food from contaminated sites to comply with statutory maximum levels. In parallel, PFAS maximum values in drinking water are being adjusted. The consultation period runs until September 18, 2026. The revision addresses Motion 25.3421 on the appropriate setting of PFAS limits taking into account impacts on agriculture and water suppliers.

Persons

  • Federal Department of the Interior (FDI)

Topics

  • PFAS contamination
  • Food law
  • Drinking water protection
  • Agricultural contamination

Clarus Lead

Switzerland is responding to a growing challenge: PFAS contamination in food and water is jeopardizing agricultural operations and municipal water suppliers. The limited-term regulation creates a pragmatic transition mechanism that provides producers with flexibility while maximum values are recalibrated. The three-year limitation signals that this solution is conceived as temporary – a critical point for stakeholders requiring long-term planning certainty.

Detailed Summary

The planned revision aims at two concrete measures: First, a limited-term mixing procedure is introduced that permits food from sites with elevated PFAS contamination to be combined with other batches to achieve statutory maximum levels. This model directly addresses the situation of agricultural operations whose products are contaminated through soil pollution or irrigation water.

Second, PFAS limit values for drinking water are being reset. This adjustment reflects current scientific findings and takes into account the technical and economic capacities of water suppliers to implement new filtration technologies.

The revision is directly linked to Motion 25.3421, which calls for appropriate limit-setting that takes impacts into account. This underscores that the regulation does not occur in isolation, but is conceived as part of a broader support package for affected sectors.

Key Statements

  • Limited-term Solution: Three-year mixing procedure for PFAS-contaminated food creates transition flexibility
  • Dual Adjustment: Simultaneous revision of food and drinking water maximum values
  • Stakeholder Focus: Motion implementation directly addresses agriculture and water suppliers

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: On what scientific data are the new PFAS drinking water values based? Were international guidelines (e.g., EU, USA) considered?

  2. Mixing Procedure: How is traceability and transparency ensured for mixed food products? What control mechanisms are in place?

  3. Time Limitation: Why three years? What conditions must be met to extend or terminate this regulation?

  4. Causality: Are other measures (e.g., soil remediation, irrigation alternatives) planned in parallel, or is the focus primarily on mixing and limit adjustment?

  5. Conflicts of Interest: How were water suppliers and agricultural associations involved in regulation development? Are there funding mechanisms for filtration investments?

  6. Feasibility: What technical and administrative resources do cantons and municipalities need to control and enforce compliance?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Department of the Interior – Consultation Opening: Limited-term Revision of Food Law Regulations Concerning PFAS – https://fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/dl/proj/2026/47/cons_1

Verification Status: ✓ May 27, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: May 27, 2026