Milan Declaration: commitment by Swiss industries to reduce sugar content in yogurts, breakfast cereals, quarks, milk drinks and soft drinks
Switzerland
Vendor and Product Properties, Desirability, Norms and Preferences
National
Businesses
Ongoing
The aim is to reduce the sugar content in 5 food categories (yogurts, breakfast cereals, quarks, milk drinks and soft drinks). The Milan Declaration is based on a voluntary commitment by Swiss beverage and food manufacturers and retailers. The Declaration is signed by The Federal Department of Home Affairs of the Swiss Confederation and by the voluntary companies. The broader objective is to help the population adopt a healthy diet through improved food supply.
The Swiss population consumes too much sugar, around twice the amount recommended by the World Health Organization. Excessive sugar consumption increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, which result in high healthcare costs. Many countries have introduced a sugar tax, but Switzerland has opted for a voluntary commitment from industry actors.
The Milan Declaration is an agreement between The Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) and the signatory companies. A sub-department of the FDHA, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO), is responsible for monitoring compliance with the reduction targets.
The Milan Declaration was first signed on the 4th of 2015, by 10 Swiss companies. The goal was to gradually reduce the sugar content of yogurts and breakfast cereals. In 2017, 4 additional companies signed the declaration and concrete reduction targets were agreed upon. In 2019, the 14 companies reaffirmed their participation, and an FSVO report revealed that the targets had been achieved. New targets were then set. In 2023, 10 additional companies signed the declaration and the categories of soft drinks, milk drinks and quark were added, along with new reduction targets for 2024. At the end of 2024, an FSVO report showed that the targets had once again been met. On the 21st of August 2025, 21 companies signed the renewal of their commitment and new targets for the end of 2028 have been set. Criticism of the declaration has been voiced since it was first signed, for example that certain important industries in the Swiss market have not signed the declaration and that a sugar tax could have a greater impact.