High sugar consumption in Switzerland is a serious public health problem, contributing to obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases. But lawmakers are hesitant to act.

Sweets, chocolate, soft drinks: the Swiss population has a real passion for anything containing sugar. In Swiss households, sugar consumption is among the highest in Europe and more than double the 50 grams per person per day recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Already in 2015, the WHO had sounded the alarm about excessive sugar intake and the rise of obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. In Switzerland, where at least 40% of the adult population is overweight, four out of five people die from these diseases. The associated healthcare costs are estimated at more than External linkCHF50 billion ($58 billion) per year, or 80% of total healthcare costs.

Several countries such as France, Belgium and the United Kingdom have taken action to reduce the amount of sugar in food and beverages, through measures such as sugar taxes, clearer labels and bans on advertising aimed at young people.

Switzerland has not introduced any of these measures, despite appeals from health organisations. “If we don’t want to become like the United States, where 50% of the population is obese and/or has diabetes, we have to act as soon as possible,” says Virginie Mansuy-Aubert, a researcher and expert on the interaction between diet and healthy gut flora at the University of Lausanne.

But politicians are reluctant to put the brakes on the food industry, which is worth billions of francs and includes Nestlé, headquartered not far from Lausanne.