Caution with foods containing sodium chloride
Food law also applies to foods that can be purchased online. Swissmedic currently warns against the ingestion or use of sodium chloride products, which can react with citric acid to form chlorine dioxide. A health hazard cannot be ruled out.
To the Federal Office for Food Safety (FSVO) according to reports of non-compliant foodstuffs sold via online stores are increasing. Swissmedic advises particular caution when buying products from unsafe sources, because Swiss food law in principle only applies in Switzerland: online stores in Switzerland would be regularly checked for food safety. The foreign stores could also offer products that are not allowed to be placed on the market under Swiss food law.
Caution with substances such as chlorine dioxide and "cures".
Swissmedic advises particular caution when purchasing food supplements for private consumption, for example. These often contain ingredients that are not permitted.
In the event of an overdose of certain substances such as citric acid together with chlorine dioxide, a health hazard could not be ruled out. Such foodstuffs are often advertised as remedies - in Switzerland, strict legislation applies here: foodstuffs are generally not considered "remedies" in Switzerland.
For example, according to the release, dietary supplements that contain melatonin, the red mold rice Monascus purpureus or other substances harmful to health or pharmacologically active substances contain, such as DNP, DMAA, 5-HTP, DHEA or unapproved "Novel Foods".
Caution is also advised, for example, when products are advertised as being suitable for animals, contrary to their original purpose. Critical checking is also advisable when buying via social media platforms.
Sometimes products are advertised with effects that they do not contain in reality. When importing dietary supplements from abroad, could also be the Possibility can not be excludedthat these fall under the conditions of the Therapeutic Products Act in Switzerland. In this case, the purchaser or importer is also liable to prosecution.
Source: BLV/Swissmedic
