South Africa: South Africa Issues New Draft Regulation on Food Labelling

On May 21, 2023, the South African Minister of Health issued a Government Notice (R.3337) inviting public comments on a draft regulation relating to the labelling and advertising of food products under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No.54 of 1972). The official deadline for the submission of comments or representation on the draft regulation to the South African Director General of Health is July 21, 2023. The draft regulation emphasizes that no person may manufacture, import, sell, donate, or offer for sale any pre-packed foodstuff, unless the products are labelled in accordance with the regulation. Information on the product’s label must be accurate regarding the character, origin, composition, quality, nutritive value, and time and place of manufacture. The regulation also specifies letter sizes on product labels, product description, the declaration of country of origin, and prohibited statements.