Too costly Switzerland also high on list of 2013 targets
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – Three Swiss consumer protection groups who join forces each year to set targets to defend consumer rights, say that 2013 will be the year when they go after fast food companies’ ads and the high cost of consumer goods in Switzerland.
This is the fourth year the groups have worked together, forming the Consumer Organizations’ Alliance.
Sell-by dates on food, a source of unnecessary food wastage
The alliance is also planning to continue its fight against wasted food and unfair competition. The alliance carried out food sell-by date tests on 1,000 products in 2012: half of them were still in good condition one month after the expiry date, and the group has been working with industry and politicians to ensure that consumers are protected but that this does not result in abuse of the system.
In 2013 consumers will see a campaign to help them understand how to better understand sell-by dates and use them more efficiently to save money.
The alliance is also planning to share with consumers the voting records on consumer issues by members of parliament. And it is planning to raise the profile of information about food-borne bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
“Swiss supplement” for Sports gear, electronics prices to come under pressure
The group in 2012 has been gathering information and prices for six areas of consumer goods: magazines, food, cosmeetics, clothing, shoes and toys. The list the group is maintaining, in order to put pressure on companies to end the practice of raising prices for items sold in Switzerland, will have two new items in 2013, electronics and sports goods. Their goal, the alliance said in a press release 17 December, is to ensure that the Swiss can continue to shop in Switzerland rather than crossing the border to get cheaper goods in neighbouring countries.
Fast food companies will be under pressure following a study by the alliance that shows that one-quarter of the 40 hours of advertising a child in Switzerland watches on TV during a year are for food: mainly fast food, salty and sweet snacks.
