Food Safety and Food Quality Legislation and Resources

Resources list of South African Food Safety, Food Quality and other legislation applicable to the food and beverage industries.

Reference: General resource overview

Topic: Overview

Government department with legislative relevance for agricultural products, standards, export controls and related food-sector regulation.

Reference: Primary department

Topic: Government Department

Government department with legislative relevance for food hygiene, food safety, health regulations and public health oversight.

Reference: Primary department

Topic: Government Department

Government department with relevance to competition, trade regulation, standards and consumer-facing compliance matters.

Reference: Primary department

Topic: Government Department

South African legislation governing the maximum limits for pesticide residues that may be present in foodstuffs (R246 of 1994 | R247 of 2005 | R1047 of 2006 | R548 of 2010 | R46 of 2012 | R119 of 2020 | R4388 of 2024).

Reference: Pesticide residues

Topic: Chemicals and Metals

South African legislation relating to miscellaneous additives in foodstuffs (R1425 of 2016).

Reference: Food additives

Topic: Additives

South African legislation relating to health messages on container labels of alcoholic beverages (R764 of 2007 | R1208 of 2008 | R1143 of 2020).

Reference: Alcoholic beverages

Topic: Labelling and Advertising

South African legislation relating to the labelling of alcoholic beverages (R109 of 2005).

Reference: Alcoholic beverages

Topic: Labelling and Advertising

South African legislation relating to objects packed in foodstuffs intended for children (R1090 of 2005).

Reference: Children

Topic: Infants and Young Children

South African legislation relating to the prohibition of the sale of comfrey, foodstuffs containing comfrey and jelly confectionery containing konjac (R1408 of 2003).

Reference: Comfrey and konjac

Topic: Condiments and Miscellaneous

South African legislation relating to the fortification of certain foodstuffs (R504 of 2003 | R1206 of 2008).

Reference: Fortification

Topic: Miscellaneous

South African legislation governing tolerance for fungus-produced toxins in foodstuffs (R1145 of 2004 | R751 of 2009 | R987 of 2016).

Reference: Mycotoxins

Topic: Chemicals and Metals

South African legislation relating to the application of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP System) (R908 of 2003 | R1060 of 2009 | R607 of 2018).

Reference: HACCP

Topic: Food Safety Management Systems

South African legislation relating to general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters (R638 of 2018) (Certificate of Acceptability).

Reference: General hygiene

Topic: General Hygiene

South African legislation relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, exportation and sale of polycarbonate infant feeding bottles containing Bisphenol A (R879 of 2011).

Reference: Infant feeding bottles

Topic: Infants and Young Children

South African legislation relating to foodstuffs for infants and young children (R991 of 2012 | R365 of 2013 | R434 of 2013).

Reference: Infants and young children

Topic: Infants and Young Children

South African legislation relating to irradiated foodstuffs (R1600 of 1983 | R366 of 2013).

Reference: Irradiated foodstuffs

Topic: Chemicals and Metals

South African legislation relating to the labelling of foodstuffs obtained through certain techniques of genetic modification (R25 of 2004).

Reference: Genetic modification

Topic: Labelling and Advertising

South African legislation relating to the labelling of foods for special medical purposes (R493 of 2002).

Reference: Medical purposes

Topic: Labelling and Advertising

South African legislation relating to the labelling and advertising of foodstuffs (R146 of 2010 | R1091 of 2010 | R45 of 2012).

Reference: Labelling and advertising

Topic: Labelling and Advertising

South African legislation relating to marine biotoxins (R491 of 2005).

Reference: Marine biotoxins

Topic: Chemicals and Metals

South African legislation governing the composition and labelling of raw boerewors, raw species sausage and raw mixed-species sausage (R2718 of 1990).

Reference: Raw boerewors

Topic: Meat

South African legislation relating to maximum levels of melamine in foodstuffs (R1054 of 2009).

Reference: Melamine

Topic: Chemicals and Metals

South African legislation relating to maximum levels of metals in foodstuffs (R588 of 2018).

Reference: Metals

Topic: Chemicals and Metals

South African legislation governing microbiological standards for foodstuffs and related matters (R692 of 1997 | R1588 of 2002 | R1207 of 2008 | R706 of 2011).

Reference: Microbiological standards

Topic: Microbiology

South African legislation relating to milk and dairy products (R1555 of 1997 | R1262 of 2010 | R127 of 2014).

Reference: Milk and dairy

Topic: Dairy and Eggs

South African legislation relating to hygiene requirements for milking sheds, the transport of milk and related matters (R961 of 2012).

Reference: Milk transport

Topic: Dairy and Eggs

South African legislation relating to the powers and duties of inspectors and analysts conducting inspections and analyses on foodstuffs and at food premises (R328 of 2007).

Reference: Inspectors and analysts

Topic: Miscellaneous

South African legislation regarding processed foodstuffs (R723 of 2001).

Reference: Processed foodstuffs

Topic: Miscellaneous

South African legislation relating to food-grade salt (R184 of 2007).

Reference: Salt

Topic: Condiments

South African legislation relating to the reduction of sodium in certain foodstuffs and related matters (R214 of 2013 | R1071 of 2017 | R812 of 2019).

Reference: Sodium reduction

Topic: Condiments

South African legislation relating to soft drinks (R1769 of 1985 | R317 of 2012).

Reference: Soft drinks

Topic: Beverages

South African legislation governing certain solvents in foodstuffs (R911 of 2001 | R315 of 2006).

Reference: Solvents

Topic: Chemicals and Metals

South African legislation relating to the use of sweeteners in foodstuffs (R733 of 2012).

Reference: Sweeteners

Topic: Condiments

South African legislation relating to trans-fat in foodstuffs (R127 of 2011).

Reference: Trans-fat

Topic: Condiments

South African legislation governing the maximum limits for veterinary medicine and stock remedy residues that may be present in foodstuffs (R1809 of 1992 | R215 of 2006 | R816 of 2017).

Reference: Veterinary medicine residues

Topic: Chemicals and Metals

South African legislation relating to all bottled water (R718 of 2006 | R455 of 2010).

Reference: Bottled water

Topic: Beverages

This South African regulation establishes the delivery of environmental health services across a wide range of premises, including food-handling, accommodation, public gathering places, and waste facilities, by establishing national norms and standards to protect public health and prevent environmental conditions that may constitute a health hazard.

Reference: Act No. 61 of 2003

Topic: Environmental Health

This South African regulation establishes the ethical conduct of registered healthcare practitioners, including expanded professional collaboration and multidisciplinary practices, while reinforcing contract-based employment in the interest of public health.

Reference: Act 56 of 1974

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety

Government Notice No. 7563 published in Government Gazette No. 54761 on 5 June 2026. Amendments to the list of waste management activities that have, or are likely to have, a detrimental effect on the environment, published under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008.

Reference: Waste management

Topic: Environmental Authorisations

This South African regulation focuses on integrating climate change considerations into applications for environmental authorisations, atmospheric emission licences, and waste management licences, ensuring environmental impact assessments account for emissions, mitigation and resilience.

Reference: Act 107 of 1998

Topic: Environmental Authorisations

Government Notice No. 6774 published in Government Gazette No. 53605 on 31 October 2025.

Reference: Inspection fees

Topic: Meat

South African legislation regarding red meat (R1072 of 2004 | R350 of 2005).

Reference: Red meat

Topic: Meat

South African legislation regarding ostrich (R54 of 2007).

Reference: Ostrich

Topic: Meat

South African legislation regarding poultry (R153 of 2006).

Reference: Poultry

Topic: Meat

Government Notice No. 7687 published in Government Gazette No. 54972 on 8 July 2026 under the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984. Control measures relating to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, relevant to the movement and management of animals in the meat and livestock supply chain.

Reference: Foot and mouth disease

Topic: Animal Health

Government Notice No. 7668 published in Government Gazette No. 54969 on 8 July 2026 under the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984. Control measures relating to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, issued alongside Notice 7687 as part of the department's foot and mouth disease response.

Reference: Foot and mouth disease

Topic: Animal Health

Government Notice No. 7597 published in Government Gazette No. 54853 on 19 June 2026. Notice of intention to register methods of production as a Management Control System under the Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990. Comment deadline: 30 July 2026.

Reference: Comments by 30 July 2026

Topic: Agricultural Standards

Government Notice No. R. 6436 published in Government Gazette No. 53020 on 18 July 2025 under the Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990, effective from 18 July 2026 (12-month transition period). Sets composition, minimum protein (9%) and labelling/naming standards for plant-based meat analogues (e.g. "meat substitute", "plant-based burger/sausage"), prohibits animal-species references such as "beef-style" or "chicken-style", and requires country-of-origin and manufacturer/packer details.

Reference: Meat analogues (effective 18 Jul 2026)

Topic: Meat

Government Notice No. 7698 published in Government Gazette No. 54998 on 17 July 2026 under the Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990. Amendment to the standards and requirements regarding control of the export of avocados.

Reference: Avocado export controls

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

This South African regulation focuses on inspection fees for agricultural product standards inspections, including food production and processing, while inviting comments on the proposed fee structure for 2026.

Reference: Inspection fees

Topic: Agricultural Standards

South African legislation relating to the classification, packing and marking of edible ice for sale in South Africa (R3617 of 2023).

Reference: Edible ice

Topic: Ice and Edible Ices

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of dried fruit intended for sale in South Africa (R3449 of 2023).

Reference: Dried fruit

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the classification and marking of meat intended for sale in South Africa (R55 of 2015 | R1492 of 2019 | R3450 of 2023).

Reference: Meat classification

Topic: Meat

South African legislation relating to the registration of Karoo Lamb/Karoo Lam as a South African Geographical Indication (3992 of 2023).

Reference: Karoo Lamb

Topic: Meat

South African legislation relating to the quality, grading, packing and marking of tomatoes intended for sale in South Africa (R3616 of 2023).

Reference: Tomatoes

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to standards and requirements regarding control of the export of canned and pickled vegetables (R1983 of 1991 | R4070 of 2023).

Reference: Export controls

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the control of the export of fresh vegetables (R3478 of 2023).

Reference: Fresh vegetables export

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of apples intended for sale in South Africa (R911 of 2016).

Reference: Apples

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of apricots intended for sale in South Africa (R1 of 2012).

Reference: Apricots

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of avocados intended for sale in South Africa (R5 of 2014).

Reference: Avocados

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of bananas intended for sale in South Africa (R635 of 2017).

Reference: Bananas

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of malting barley intended for sale in South Africa (R443 of 2013).

Reference: Malting barley

Topic: Grains

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of dry beans intended for sale in South Africa (R112 of 2014).

Reference: Dry beans

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of canola intended for sale in South Africa (R622 of 2009 | GoN R. 7603 of 2026). New regulations published under Government Notice No. R. 7603 in Government Gazette No. 54854 (Regulation Gazette No. 12009) on 19 June 2026, made by the Minister for Agriculture under section 15 of the Act.

Reference: Canola

Topic: Nuts and Seeds

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of citrus fruit intended for sale in South Africa (R963 of 2012).

Reference: Citrus fruit

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to coffee, chicory and related products intended for sale in South Africa (R1154 of 2020).

Reference: Coffee and chicory

Topic: Beverages

South African legislation relating to the classification, packing and marking requirements of dairy and imitation dairy products intended for sale in South Africa (R260 of 2015).

Reference: Dairy products

Topic: Dairy and Eggs

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of eggs intended for sale in South Africa (R345 of 2020).

Reference: Eggs

Topic: Dairy and Eggs

South African legislation relating to the classification, packing and marking requirements of fat spreads intended for sale in South Africa (R194 of 2012).

Reference: Fat spreads

Topic: Condiments

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of canned fruit intended for sale in South Africa (R135 of 2005).

Reference: Canned fruit

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the classification, packing and marking of fruit juice and drink intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa (R286 of 1980 | R411 of 2013).

Reference: Fruit juice and drink

Topic: Beverages

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of garlic intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa (R491 of 2018).

Reference: Garlic

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of table grapes intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa (R588 of 2016).

Reference: Table grapes

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of groundnuts intended for sale in South Africa (R966 of 2005).

Reference: Groundnuts

Topic: Nuts and Seeds

South African legislation relating to grading, packing and marking of jam, jelly and marmalade intended for sale in South Africa (R81 of 2023).

Reference: Jam, jelly and marmalade

Topic: Condiments

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of litchis intended for sale in South Africa (R1202 of 2015).

Reference: Litchis

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of maize intended for sale in South Africa (R63 of 2016).

Reference: Maize

Topic: Grains

South African legislation relating to standards and requirements regarding control of the export of mangoes (R1983 of 1991 | R1530 of 2019).

Reference: Mango export

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the classification and marking of processed meat intended for sale in South Africa (R1283 of 2019).

Reference: Processed meat

Topic: Meat

South African legislation relating to the classification and marking of certain raw processed meat intended for sale in South Africa (R2410 of 2022).

Reference: Raw processed meat

Topic: Meat

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of canned mushrooms intended for sale in South Africa (R3 of 2001 | R414 of 2010).

Reference: Canned mushrooms

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of table olives intended for sale in South Africa (R589 of 2016).

Reference: Table olives

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of onions and shallots intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa (R192 of 2015).

Reference: Onions and shallots

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of peaches and nectarines intended for sale in South Africa (R901 of 2011).

Reference: Peaches and nectarines

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to standards and requirements regarding control of the export of peaches and nectarines (R1983 of 1991 | R2745 of 2022).

Reference: Peaches export

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of pears intended for sale in South Africa (R587 of 2016).

Reference: Pears

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of pineapples intended for sale in South Africa (R538 of 2017).

Reference: Pineapples

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of plums and prunes intended for sale in South Africa (R899 of 2011).

Reference: Plums and prunes

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to standards and requirements regarding control of the export of plums and prunes (R1983 of 1991 | R2744 of 2022).

Reference: Plums export

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of popcorn kernels intended for sale in South Africa (R1339 of 2018).

Reference: Popcorn kernels

Topic: Grains

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of potatoes intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa (R273 of 2019).

Reference: Potatoes

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of pulses intended for sale in South Africa (R632 of 2019).

Reference: Pulses

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of rice intended for sale in South Africa (R866 of 2014).

Reference: Rice

Topic: Grains

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of rice kernels intended for sale in South Africa (R44 of 2020).

Reference: Rice kernels

Topic: Grains

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of sorghum intended for sale in South Africa (R15 of 2016).

Reference: Sorghum

Topic: Grains

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of soya beans intended for sale in South Africa (R370 of 2017).

Reference: Soya beans

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

This South African regulation governs the quality, grading and export requirements of oilseeds, ensuring exporters comply with updated export-control norms, packaging and certification expectations.

Reference: Oil seeds export

Topic: Agricultural Standards

South African legislation relating to standards and requirements regarding control of the export of strawberries (R1983 of 1991 | R671 of 2021).

Reference: Strawberries export

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of sunflower seed intended for sale in South Africa (R45 of 2016).

Reference: Sunflower seed

Topic: Nuts and Seeds

South African legislation relating to standards and requirements regarding control of the export of table grapes (R1983 of 1991 | R2746 of 2022).

Reference: Table grapes export

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to tea and related products intended for sale in South Africa (R1153 of 2020).

Reference: Tea

Topic: Beverages

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of canned and pickled vegetables intended for sale in South Africa (R2826 of 2022).

Reference: Canned and pickled vegetables

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of fresh vegetables intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa (R364 of 2013).

Reference: Fresh vegetables

Topic: Fruits and Vegetables

South African legislation relating to the classification, packing and marking requirements of vinegar and imitation vinegar intended for sale in South Africa (R1340 of 2018).

Reference: Vinegar

Topic: Condiments

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of bread wheat intended for sale in South Africa (R1547 of 2019).

Reference: Bread wheat

Topic: Grains

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of durum wheat intended for sale in South Africa (R43 of 2016).

Reference: Durum wheat

Topic: Grains

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of wheat products intended for sale in South Africa (R405 of 2017).

Reference: Wheat products

Topic: Grains

South African legislation relating to the grading, packing and marking of soft wheat intended for sale in South Africa (R44 of 2016 | R1230 of 2016).

Reference: Soft wheat

Topic: Grains

Government Notice No. R. 7620 published in Government Gazette No. 54900 (Regulation Gazette No. 12011) on 26 June 2026. Statutory measure requiring dairy role-players (milk buyers, processors, producer-processors and sellers of raw milk to retailers) to keep specified records for at least five years and to submit monthly returns to Milk SA. Comes into operation on 1 July 2026.

Reference: Statutory measure

Topic: Dairy and Eggs

Government Notice No. R. 7619 published in Government Gazette No. 54900 (Regulation Gazette No. 12011) on 26 June 2026. Statutory measure providing for the registration of persons involved in the secondary dairy industry.

Reference: Statutory measure

Topic: Dairy and Eggs

General Notice No. 4013 published in Government Gazette No. 54970 on 10 July 2026 under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act 47 of 1996. Request for the continuation of statutory measures relating to levies, records and returns, and registrations on cattle, goats, sheep and red meat. Comment deadline: 31 July 2026.

Reference: Comments by 31 July 2026

Topic: Meat

Government Notice No. 7651 published in Government Gazette No. 54939 (Regulation Gazette No. 12019) on 3 July 2026 under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act 47 of 1996. Notice by the National Agricultural Marketing Council inviting comments (comment period closed 17 July 2026).

Reference: NAMC

Topic: Marketing and Levies

General Notice No. 4003 published in Government Gazette No. 54941 on 3 July 2026 under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act 47 of 1996, relating to the conducting of an agricultural pool.

Reference: Agricultural pool

Topic: Marketing and Levies

Link to compulsory specification resource under the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act relating to processed meat products.

Reference: VC 9100

Topic: Compulsory Specifications

Government Notice No. R. 7605 published in Government Gazette No. 54854 (Regulation Gazette No. 12009) on 19 June 2026. SARS tariff amendment (ITAC Report No. 692), made under section 75 of the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964, introducing a rebate provision on additional components used in the manufacture of cooking and cooling appliances.

Reference: Customs and excise

Topic: Customs and Trade

Government Notice No. 7554 published in Government Gazette No. 54783 on 5 June 2026. Receipts of applications for Plant Breeders' Rights (for the period October to December 2025) under the Plant Breeders' Rights Act 12 of 2018, which commenced on 1 June 2025 and replaced the Plant Breeders' Rights Act 15 of 1976. Objections may be lodged with the Registrar within three months (denominations) and six months (applications and grants) of publication.

Reference: Act 12 of 2018

Topic: Agricultural

Board Notice 927 published in Government Gazette No. 54781 on 5 June 2026 under the Agricultural Research Act 86 of 1990. Nominations were invited for appointments to the Agricultural Research Council board (nomination deadline: 15 June 2026, now closed).

Reference: Board nominations

Topic: Agricultural

South African consumer protection legislation relevant to goods, services, consumers, claims and fair trading obligations.

Reference: Consumer protection

Topic: General Business Law

Practical guideline resource explaining consumer rights and the Consumer Protection Act in South Africa.

Reference: Guidelines

Topic: General Business Law

South African privacy legislation relevant to personal information handling, lawful processing and information protection obligations.

Reference: POPIA

Topic: Privacy and Information Law

Official South African information regulator resource relevant to privacy, access to information and POPIA-related guidance.

Reference: Information regulator

Topic: Privacy and Information Law

South African occupational health and safety legislation relevant to workplace safety and employer obligations.

Reference: OHS Act

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety

South African liquor product legislation relevant to standards and requirements for liquor products.

Reference: Liquor products

Topic: Liquor

South African liquor legislation relevant to sale, licensing and legal control of liquor.

Reference: Liquor Act

Topic: Liquor

External resource relevant to water-related environmental and resource management issues.

Reference: Water resources

Topic: Environmental

External resource relevant to environmental authorisations, licensing and related compliance matters.

Reference: Environmental authorisations

Topic: Environmental