How South Africa's labelling and advertising regulations protect consumers and promote transparency.
By Anisha Ramnarayan, Director, FSQ Excellence
In South Africa, the safety and quality of food is protected in part by regulations on how foodstuffs are labelled and advertised. Those rules help people make informed choices and support fair dealing in the food industry.
Labelling rules require clear, legible information. That includes the name of the product, the list of ingredients, nutritional information, allergen declarations and net quantity. Labels also need to show country of origin, storage instructions, and any specific handling or cooking requirements. Specific warnings, such as the presence of genetically modified organisms where the regulations require it, must be displayed.
Food advertisements must be accurate and truthful, and must not mislead. They should not exploit a lack of knowledge, misrepresent the product, make unproven claims, or target vulnerable groups such as children.
Manufacturers and distributors are responsible for labelling products in line with the regulations. Authorities monitor compliance and inspect. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, fines or legal action.
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