Mission Statement

To assist the food industry in developing accurate and ethical labelling with regard to health and nutrition, including allergy. To assist with scientifically based information in the creation of innovative and safe products for consumer needs.

	Dr. Harris Steinman(MB.Ch.B., UCT; D.Ch., SA, D.Av.Med.), the director of the company, is a medical doctor and a researcher on allergy, intolerance, additives, preservatives and general food safety. He received his medical education from the University of Cape Town, and further training at the Red Cross Children's Hospital and in Prof. Paul Potter's Allergology Unit at Groote Schuur Hospital. He has received a variety of research awards, and he has published articles in leading journals on sulphur dioxide preservatives and pollution, hidden allergens, and the spread of allergic sensitisation in Africa, among other topics. He has been the Allergy Society of South Africa’s (ALLSA’s) representative on the South African Department of Health's Food Advisory Legislative Group (FLAG) for the past twelve years. He was an invited member of the United Nations Joint Food Agricultural Organisation/World Health Organisation Expert Consultation on “hidden” allergens in 1996. In January 2001 he was elected vice-chairperson at the United Nations Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the allergenicity of foods derived from biotechnology (GMOs). He is an advisor to the Department of Agriculture for the assessment of the allergenicity of GMO’s. He is the author of a number of allergen reference books published by Phadia/Pharmacia Diagnostics, Sweden, the leading international allergy testing company.
	Karen Horsburgh(née du Plessis) (B.Sc. Dietetics, Stellenbosch) assists companies with labelling and literature reviews. She is invited to present to dietitians; lectures at the university level in the field of allergies and intolerances; consults to the public, dietitians and the food industry; edits an educational review sent to over 4 000 health professionals worldwide; and develops and continually updates Allergy Advisor (a software program developed by the company). Her previous working experience was at NICUS (Nutrition Information Centre of the University of Stellenbosch) and the Heart Foundation of SA, where her every day tasks were consulting, nutrition education, handling consumer queries, writing, and media interaction (with numerous radio and television interviews). She is also a member of the ADSA (Association for Dietetics of South Africa) Executive Committee.
	Carine Davies (B.Sc. Dietetics, Natal) manages the marketing and communication functions for F.A.C.T.S. and is busy completing her postgraduate diploma in marketing with UNISA. Carine managed the Heart Mark for the South African Heart Foundation and assisted members of the public with queries on healthy nutrition. Carine has worked in sales and marketing and as a private practising dietitian; has assisted in the development of weight loss and disease prevention programs; and has been on the staff of the Contact Care Line in Durban.
	Donna Cawthorn [B.Sc., M.Sc. Food Science (cum laude), Stellenbosch] works as a consultant food scientist for FACTS. She is currently doing a PhD degree in Food Science (Molecular) at Stellenbosch University, focusing on the detection and identification of fish species in South Africa, and characterisation of their allergenic potential. Donna was awarded the SAAFoST prize for the Top Academic Achiever in Food Science in 2004 and 2005, as well as the SAAFoST/Orley Foods prize for the Best Food Science Seminar presented to the food industry in 2005. She also received Honorary Colours for Academics from the University of Stellenbosch (2006), the Dreosti Award for the best oral presentation at the 19th biennial SAAFoST congress (2007) and the Brian Koeppen Memorial Scholorship (2008).
	Suzanne Brand (BSc Food Science, Stellenbosch) completed her BSC in Food Science at the University of Stellenbosch with her major subjects being Food Science and Chemistry. The degree focused on preservation, packaging, product development, sensory evaluation. She completed her in-service training at Epol, Rainbow Chickens and SAD. Suzanne is responsible for the efficient running of the FACTS systems and processes.

More about the Company...

FACTS (Food & Allergy Consulting & Testing Services) is an innovative and enthusiastic Cape Town-based company, whose members are truly passionate about their field of expertise. We have spent the past 8 years both conducting research in the complex and rapidly changing field of adverse food reactions, and addressing the practical needs of the medical and food industries.

Consisting of a medical doctor, dietitians, and a food scientist, the company is a unique team of experts with medical, dietetics, scientific, communications, educational and commercial knowledge. Our combined expertise includes the healthcare, business and regulatory fields; the sum of which gives balance to our projects and real benefits to our food industry clients.

We have established a wide range of contacts in the legislative, commercial, medical and media fields. FACTS is frequently asked to provide advice and practical assistance to entities such as the Department of Health, universities and the Association for Dietetics in South Africa. In addition, FACTS collaborates with a number of companies and other organisations that are key international role players (e.g., Food Allergy Research and Resource Program [FARRP] and Health Canada).

The members of the FACTS team each annually attend several conferences, workshops and meetings, where we are often invited to give presentaions. FACTS was invited to present a parallel session on allergens at both the 2005 and 2007 SAAFoST (South African Association for Food Science & Technology) Biennial Congresses. Dr Steinman also presented at the Western Cape Food Control Committee meeting on food labelling, where he discussed food allergen labelling and the proposed changes in the new draft labelling regulations. Other members of the team have presented numerous talks on food labelling to various focus groups.

In addition, FACTS is involved in food science, dietetics and other education at a variety of tertiary institutions in South Africa. We are helping to make South Africa a leader in the understanding and mitigation of food allergy and intolerance.