On the safe Side

Migros wants to be sure that every one of its products is safe during production, consumption, use and disposal. The retailer therefore adds only items to its range that fulfil the legal requirements as a minimum and meet the Migros quality requirements. SQTS (Swiss Quality Testing Services) conducts risk-related tests on new products on behalf of Quality Management. These tests are repeated as spot checks on products on the shelves. In 2010 Migros performed a total of 12'000 product analyses. Despite these careful tests, 13 products had to be recalled last year.

Food safety guaranteed

To guarantee the safety of its food, Migros abides by the internationally accepted Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Domestic and foreign suppliers of processed foods are certified according to a standard recognised by the GFSI, as are the company's own industrial enterprises. The implementation level has been an estimated 95% for many years. For small suppliers, such as fishermen and cheese dairies, Migros carries out selective inspections. In 2010 Migros created new guidelines for colourants that go far beyond the legal requirements. Migros does without certain controversial additives, such as E-numbers.

Strict genetic engineering guidelines

Migros also plays it safe when it comes to genetic engineering: it does not sell any genetically modified foods that are subject to declaration. A growing problem is, however, that farm animals around the world are increasingly being fed with genetically modified soy. As a member of the Sustainable Soy network, which was set up in July 2010, Migros is committed to increasing the share of sustainable soy, that has not been genetically modified, in farm animal feed in Switzerland. This commitment complies with the planned quality strategy of Swiss agriculture, which aims to stand out, as an added value, from foreign importers by using products that are not genetically modified.

Transparency for nano products

Nanotechnology is based on minuscule parts or structures that have special properties thanks to their size. The technology has already produced some useful applications. Migros voluntarily observes a code of conduct created by the Swiss retailer stakeholder group (IGDHS), which plans more tests before rolling out nanoproducts. Legal requirements on nanotechnology hardly exist so far. The EU Cosmetics Directive, which was renewed in 2009, prescribes the labelling of the nano term as of 2013. But Migros aims to inform its customers not only when it comes to beauty care. For this reason, in April 2010 the retailer placed on the internet a list of the 20 nanoproducts sold in its shops so far, which is updated at certain intervals.