Switzerland’s Food News: Sausages Grow, Shark Meat Raises Alarm

What Is Happening?

Two very different food stories are making news, and both affect Switzerland.

A large Nordic food group is growing its meat business, with possible impact on the Swiss market.
At the same time, Swiss activists warn that some fish sold in Switzerland may be dangerous to health.

Together, they show how food choices are shaped by both business decisions and safety concerns.

Swedish Meat Group Expands Its Sausage Business

Lantmännen, a farmer-owned food group from Sweden, has bought full ownership of Slaktarkorv, a Swedish sausage and charcuterie brand.

The deal was made through Scan Sverige, Lantmännen’s meat company.

What Does This Mean?

Scan Sverige already produced Slaktarkorv products.
Now it also owns the brand.
This gives Scan more control over growth, marketing, and product range.

The company says it wants to:

Make more food in Sweden
Offer a wider range of sausages and cured meats
Focus on meat sourced from Swedish farms

Slaktarkorv was started in 2013 by two Swedish farmers. It is now sold across Sweden and stocked by all major retailers.

Lantmännen believes the brand still has strong growth potential.

Why This Matters for Switzerland

Lantmännen is not only active in Sweden.
It operates in more than 20 countries, including Switzerland, and owns well-known food brands sold in Swiss shops.

Growth in its meat and sausage business could:

Increase availability of Nordic meat products in Switzerland
Strengthen competition in the processed meat market
Influence prices and product choice for consumers

Shark Meat in Switzerland: A Health Warning

While one company is expanding, another food issue is raising serious concern in Switzerland.

Environmental groups report that shark meat sold in Swiss stores is often contaminated with methylmercury, a toxic substance.

The Main Problems

Shark meat is rarely clearly labeled as “shark”
It is sometimes sold under other fish names
Consumers may not know what they are eating

Methylmercury can be harmful, especially for:

Children
Pregnant women
People who eat fish often

Because of these risks, the Gallifrey Foundation is calling for:

A full ban on shark and ray products in Switzerland
Stronger controls on fish labeling
Better protection for endangered species

Even though import rules are stricter now, campaigners say illegal trade and mislabeling still happen.

Two Food Stories, One Swiss Angle

These two stories show different sides of the same issue:

Food business growth can bring more choice and stronger brands to Switzerland.
Food safety and transparency remain critical, especially when products are poorly labeled.

For Swiss consumers, the message is clear:

Where food comes from matters
How it is labeled matters
And who controls production matters too

As food markets become more global, Switzerland faces both new opportunities — and new risks — on its shelves.

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