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DEAR COLLEAGUES AND CLIENTS

17 November 2020

We are fast approaching the end of 2020. We wish you all the best for this period as you prepare for the busy festive season. 

In this newsletter, we have included a summary of the recently published Regulations Regarding Extended Producer Responsibility (ERP) (R.1184), some interesting news on food fraud and adulteration as well as our final GMO article from our four-part series relating to GMO testing. 

Please take care to diarise important dates with regards to our office closing and reopening in 2021. If you require our support and analytical services during this time please be assured that we will be available to stand by to assist.

Bringing you peace of mind wherever your food endeavors may take you. 

Regards,
The FACTS team

The fragmented regulatory system in South Africa may result in confusion about the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs); it’s not clear when products need to be tested for – or, in fact, labelled to indicate – the presence or absence of a GMO.

Read more

Also read from the series: 
GMO Series part 1: Introduction to genetically modified organisms
GMO Series part 2: Consumer Perceptions
GMO part 3: Regulatory perspective

South Africa’s waste generation continues to increase; significant volumes of waste are still being diverted to landfill, a dead-end disposal of waste rather than the desired approach of a circular economy. If we are to protect our environment’s natural resources and develop green economies, producers of products will be required to take responsibility for their products throughout the product life cycle, from raw material extraction through product design and use, and ultimately, recovery and recycling or re-use.
Read more

Labels are honest, right? Surely, we can trust what’s on them?! All too often, our scepticism is justified by the articles we see in the news. And no wonder; it’s estimated that about a fourth of the world’s food supply is adulterated – and black pepper is no exception.
Read more

Whole sage leaves (dried or fresh) are not commonly or easily adulterated, as there is likely to be an obvious visual difference which the consumer could easily identify. However, sage in a finer form (ground/powdered) presents a significant adulteration risk.
Read more

The end of the year is almost here, so we have put together the final dates for sample submissions.

Please take note of the following important dates:

Receipt of last labels for review: 02 December 2020

RECEIPT OF LAST SAMPLES
Facilitated Testing: 02 December 2020
Species ID: 02 December 2020
PCR Testing: 02 December 2020
ELISA Allergen Testing: 11 December 2020

RECEIPT OF LAST RAPID KIT ORDERS
R-biopharm: 11 December 2020
All other rapid kits: 18 December 2020

All reports will be dispensed by 23 December 2020.

Order receiving will restart on 06 January 2021.

For urgent testing during this period, please click here for more information.