The adequate quality of food products marketed in South Africa must be guaranteed by all operators in the food retail sector

It is the year 2023 the South African consumer gives more and more importance to the quality of the food they consume and seeks a nutritious, healthy and balanced diet. The adequate quality of food products that are marketed and consumed in South Africa must be guaranteed by all operators in the food chain and food retail sector.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), the National Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry state the legal regulations to prevent possible fraud related to the quality of food products.

All foodstuffs shall be safe for human consumption and for this, The National Department of Health requires that all food products must comply in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act 54 of 1972 (FCD Act) which regulates the production and nutritional labelling of foodstuffs.

South African food retail sector has the responsibility of engage in food safety requirements and they do by checking all foodstuffs from farm to fork. Before a product is reached by the consumer, food retailers have firstly, comply with the regulation and secondly, apply a stricter food quality standards.

Also, due to the loadshedding situation that the country is currently suffering, both retailers and consumers are encouraging in being more vigilant when purchasing their food products.

AGQ Labs makes available to South African food retailers its wide portfolio of services to achieve the best food quality standards:

• Quality and safety controls of specific food products of your private label
• Random food quality and food safety testing of products from strategic suppliers
• Microbiological testing control of any product that requires it from the store: especially fresh, meat, fish, dairy products, etc.
• Micro swab samples
• Specific campaigns and plans:
  • Pesticide Residue testing plan in fruits and vegetables
  • Control plan for mycotoxins in cereals, dried fruit, nuts, etc.
  • Control plan for heavy metals in manufactured food products
  • Olive oil quality control
  • Control of contaminants in solvent-extracted vegetable oils
  • Control of drinking water and store effluents

Do not hesitate to contact us for futher information about our safety and quality services for the South African food retail sector.