(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Residues of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) have been detected in bread and wine from French-speaking Switzerland, according to a joint investigation by Swiss public broadcaster, RTS, and Bon à Savoir magazine. This content was published on October 17, 2025 - 11:00 5 minutes Mathieu Truffer et Bastien von Wyss, RTS

• Deutsch de Ewigkeitschemikalien in Schweizer Brot und Wein gefunden Read more: Ewigkeitschemikalien in Schweizer Brot und Wein gef
• Français fr Des résidus d'un polluant éternel retrouvés dans le pain et le vin romands Original Read more: Des résidus d'un polluant éternel retrouvés dans le pain et le vin ro
• Italiano it Residui di un inquinante eterno anche nel pane e nel vino svizzeri Read more: Residui di un inquinante eterno anche nel pane e nel vino svi

The molecule, widely used in agriculture and industry, is not yet regulated in either Switzerland or the European Union. Yet it may affect the reproduction of living organisms.

TFA belongs to the family of PFAS – the so-called forever chemicals – which are extremely persistent in the environment. Used as a reagent and solvent in industry, TFA is also a by-product of pesticide degradation and refrigeration gases. Highly soluble in water, it is now found throughout Switzerland but is not yet regulated.

Earlier this year, the NGO Pesticide Action Network published the results of tests on European products such as wine and bread, revealing significant levels of TFA. So what about Switzerland?

TFA present in all samples

RTS and the Bon à Savoir magazine commissioned laboratory tests in 2023 on 16 bottles of wine from French-speaking Switzerland, priced between CHF10 ($12.50) and CHF15, and 12 loaves of fresh bread from Lidl, Migros, Aldi and Coop supermarkets, using various types of flour. TFA was detected in all samples, including those labelled“organic”.

In the wines, concentrations ranged from 11 to 150 microgrammes per kilo, with an average of 58 microgrammes. In the breads, the range was 29 to 130 microgrammes per kilo, averaging 69 microgrammes. These values are about 50% lower than those found in neighbouring European countries. However, compared with the TFA levels found in tap water during a participatory survey conducted by RTS listeners – around 0.8 microgrammes per litre – they appear relatively high.

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