Label production in Switzerland and beef quality

Switzerland is not exempted from the proliferation of labels in the beef industry. The possible effects on beef quality of the specific norms which have been elaborated by the label organisations are discussed in this review. The quality of the final product depends not only on the way the animals are fattened, it depends even more on what is happening later on. Cattle dealers, butchers and last but not least consumers may influence meat quality to a considerable extent. An integrated approach, from the barn to the table, has therefore to be adopted when a quality label worth its name is elaborated. Otherwise, the notion of quality will remain a mere marketing slogan.