Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972)

The main law regulating the manufacture, importation, sale, composition, labelling, packaging, and safety of all foodstuffs, cosmetics, and disinfectants in South Africa. It empowers the Minister of Health to issue regulations governing additives, contaminants, microbiological limits, hygiene requirements, prohibited substances, inspection powers, recall authority, and product safety controls. This Act forms the legislative backbone for ensuring consumer health protection and regulating product safety across the food, cosmetic, and disinfectant sectors.

Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME National Act NO. AND DATE Act 54 of 1972 — Assented to on 22 June 1972 (Commenced 1 October 1972) SUMMARY The main law regulating the manufacture, importation, sale, composition, labelling, packaging, and safety of all foodstuffs, cosmetics, and disinfectants in South Africa. It empowers the Minister of Health to issue regulations governing additives, contaminants, microbiological limits, hygiene requirements, prohibited substances, inspection powers, recall authority, and product safety controls. This Act forms the legislative backbone for ensuring consumer health protection and regulating product safety across the food, cosmetic, and disinfectant sectors. OFFICIAL DOCUMENT

REGULATIONS

Pesticide Residue Limits (MRLs) Lists goods that must carry compliant trade descriptions to ensure consumers receive accurate information about contents, quantity, origin, quality, and materials. ViEW Regulation

Labelling & Advertising of Foodstuffs Requires accurate ingredient lists, allergen declarations, nutrition information and controls on claims/advertising to protect and inform consumers. View Regulation

Fungus-Produced Toxins / Mycotoxins Sets permitted limits for aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin and other mycotoxins in specific commodities (e.g., maize, peanuts). View Regulation

Regulations Relating to Miscellaneous Additives in Foodstuffs Sets the financial threshold for which businesses (juristic persons like companies, trusts, close corporations) are covered by the CPA. ViEW Regulation

Soft Drinks / Preservatives & Specific Commodity Regulations Regulates permitted preservatives, sweeteners and compositional standards for non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks). Refer to current consolidated Gazette for exact GN numbers per amendment. ViEW Regulation

General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, Transport & Related Matters Sets mandatory hygiene, structure, equipment, cleaning, pest control and transport standards for food premises and vehicles — core for food-safety compliance. View Regulation

HACCP System Regulations Recognizes HACCP as the accepted food-safety management framework; sets requirements for HACCP plans, verification, certification and sector-specific plans. (Often used by processors and importers.) ViEW Regulation

Maximum Levels of Metals in Foodstuffs Sets maximum permitted concentrations for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, etc.) in food to limit toxic exposure. View Regulation

Regulations Regarding Processed Foodstuffs Controls processing, labelling and sale of processed foods; prevents unsafe re-use/recycling of food materials and sets compositional/quality rules. ViEW Regulation

NOTICES

Use of Food Additives Proposed updated/additional rules on permitted additives, modernization of annexures and safety assessments — currently in notice/draft form (watch for final Gazette). ViEW Notice

GUIDELINES

Food recalls & DoH guidance Non-binding guidance for recalls, plus notices listing prohibited substances and specific safety guidance. Useful for recall procedures and public safety communications. ViEW Guideline

General hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME General hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters NO. AND DATE R638 — 22 June 2018 (Government Gazette) SUMMARY Sets mandatory hygiene, structure, equipment, cleaning, pest control and transport standards for food premises and vehicles — core for food-safety compliance. View Document

bACK TO LEGISLATION

Regulations governing the maximum limits for pesticide residues that may be present in foodstuffs

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME Regulations governing the maximum limits for pesticide residues that may be present in foodstuffs (and Amendments) NO. AND DATE R246 — 11 Feb 1994; amendments including R247 (2005), R1047 (2006), R548 (2010), R46 (2012), R119 (2020) and most recently Amendment No. 4388 — 16 Feb 2024. SUMMARY Sets legal maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides in foods to protect public health; regularly amended to update MRL tables. View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Regulations governing tolerances for fungus-produced toxins in foodstuffs

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME Regulations governing tolerances for fungus-produced toxins (mycotoxins) in foodstuffs NO. AND DATE R1145 — 8 October 2004 SUMMARY Sets permitted limits for aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin and other mycotoxins in specific commodities (e.g., maize, peanuts). View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Regulations relating to miscellaneous additives in foodstuffs (Annexures / tables)

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME Regulations relating to miscellaneous additives in foodstuffs (Annexures / tables) NO. AND DATE R1425 — 17 November 2016 SUMMARY Defines permitted “miscellaneous” additives (emulsifiers, anti-caking agents, bulking agents, etc.) and limits of use in ready-to-eat foods. View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Regulations relating to the use of food additives in foodstuff

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME Regulations relating to the use of food additives in foodstuffs (new/regulatory activity) NO. AND DATE Drafts / Notices published (e.g. 01 Nov 2024 draft notice) — consult Gazette for finalization SUMMARY Proposed updated/additional rules on permitted additives, modernization of annexures and safety assessments — currently in notice/draft form (watch for final Gazette). View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Regulations relating to the labelling and advertising of foodstuffs

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME Regulations relating to the labelling and advertising of foodstuffs (and subsequent labelling instruments) NO. AND DATE R146 — 1 March 2010 (with later regulatory updates / consolidated labelling instruments) SUMMARY Requires accurate ingredient lists, allergen declarations, nutrition information and controls on claims/advertising to protect and inform consumers. View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Regulations relating to maximum levels for metals in foodstuffs

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME NO & DATE: R500 — 30 April 2004 NO. AND DATE Regulations relating to maximum levels for metals in foodstuffs SUMMARY Sets maximum permitted concentrations for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, etc.) in food to limit toxic exposure. View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME Regulations relating to the application of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system NO. AND DATE R908 — 27 June 2003 SUMMARY Recognizes HACCP as the accepted food-safety management framework; sets requirements for HACCP plans, verification, certification and sector-specific plans. (Often used by processors and importers.) View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Regulations regarding processed foodstuffs

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME Regulations regarding processed foodstuffs NO. AND DATE R723 — 10 August 2001 SUMMARY Controls processing, labelling and sale of processed foods; prevents unsafe re-use/recycling of food materials and sets compositional/quality rules. View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Soft drinks / preservatives regulations (sector-specific rules)

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME Soft drinks / preservatives regulations (sector-specific rules) NO. AND DATE several GNs (e.g. R261 1977 historically; various updates) SUMMARY Regulates permitted preservatives, sweeteners and compositional standards for non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks). Refer to current consolidated Gazette for exact GN numbers per amendment. View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Consumer Product Safety Recall Guidelines

DEPARTMENT Department of Health REGULATION NAME Food recall guidance, prohibited substances notices, cosmetic ingredient restrictions, etc. . SUMMARY Non-binding guidance for recalls, plus notices listing prohibited substances and specific safety guidance. Useful for recall procedures and public safety communications. View Document bACK TO LEGISLATION

Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972)

2. General hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters

DEPARTMENT

Department of Health

REGULATION NAME

General hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters

NO. AND DATE

R638 — 22 June 2018 (Government Gazette)

SUMMARY

Sets mandatory hygiene, structure, equipment, cleaning, pest control and transport standards for food premises and vehicles — core for food-safety compliance.

2. General hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters

Consumer Protection Act, 2008

Meat Safety Act, 2000

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 R638 — 22 June 2018 (Government Gazette)