National Reference Laboratory for Food-Borne Viruses

Contaminated food can contain pathogenic viruses that endanger health. As a National Reference Laboratory, METAS supports the reliable testing of food for such viruses and thus makes an important contribution to consumer protection.

© METAS

Why are viruses in food examined?

People can become infected with various viruses via food, some of which cause serious illnesses. Food-borne viruses include, for example:

• Hepatitis A and hepatitis E viruses
• Norovirus
• Enterovirus
• Rotavirus
• Tick-borne encephalitis
• Human adenovirus
• Human astrovirus

Viruses cannot multiply in food. They therefore always originate in contamination from human waste, contaminated water or surfaces.

Virus-contaminated foods can cause gastrointestinal infections or liver inflammation, among other things. Due to the health risk they pose, it is important to test food for viral contamination.

For this reason, METAS has been designated by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for Food-Borne Viruses.

Detection methods and analysis methods

As the National Reference Laboratory for Food-Borne Viruses, we primarily test viruses in or on the following foods:

• Plant-based foods (fruit, berries, vegetables, herbs and lettuce)
• Animal-based foods (sausage products, meat products, mussels, milk)
• Drinking water

For viruses transmitted via food, we use detection methods published by the European Union Reference Laboratory:

• Detection methods published by the European Reference Laboratory

Our National Reference Laboratory uses procedures issued by professionally recognised institutions such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Quality

Accreditation

As a National Reference Laboratory, we are accredited in accordance with the European standard EN ISO/IEC 17025 “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” (accreditation number: STS 0119).

• Accredited scope of the METAS test laboratory STS 0119

Validation of methods and suitability tests

In order to ensure that the quality of our analyses remains at the highest level, we are taking part in the validation of methods studies and in the suitability tests organised by the European Union Reference Laboratory.

If required, we also organise or arrange aptitude tests for the cantonal laboratories.

National and international cooperation

As the National Reference Laboratory, we represent Switzerland at meetings and in working groups organised by the European network. The aim of this collaboration is to:

• promote the exchange of knowledge
• forward the recommendations of the European Union Reference Laboratories to the national bodies

In order to pass on important findings and developments from the international meetings to Swiss circles of experts and to promote dialogue with the cantonal enforcement laboratories, we organise a national symposium every year.

NRL Symposium on Food-Borne Viruses

The next symposium of the National Reference Laboratory for Food-Borne Viruses will take place in Wabern on 26 November 2026.

For further information on the symposium, please contact: [e-mail]

More information

• European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Foodborne Viruses