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FACTS is the ‘go-to’ company for providing customised and practical solutions for any query, big or small, to support our clients’ business plans for product quality, brand preservation and overall growth.

FACTS offers members of the food and allied industries great depth and breadth of knowledge within one company. We are an authentic, multidisciplinary and connected team of experts, with medical, food science, dietetic, genetic and commercial knowledge. Our synergy of skills allows us to offer unparalleled expertise in the analytical testing, nutritional, regulatory, advisory and educational domains and provides vital advantages to our clients.

We continually invest in our people, technology and partnerships to ensure that we sustain our solid foundation in scientific excellence. Our committed team of researchers has a strong presence in local and international networks and collaborative projects and represent a trusted scientific workforce, referenced by the academia, industry and government.

Facts Alerts

Podcast - A Cape Town mother who is also a medical doctor by profession has a 2-year-old daughter who is allergic to casein (protein foun...

Misleading label causes allergic reaction in toddler

07 February 2019
Podcast - A Cape Town mother who is also a medical doctor by profession has a 2-year-old daughter who is allergic to casein (protein found in cows’ milk). The mother purchased an almond milk powder thinking that this would be a suitable alternative to cow’s milk for her daughter. The product label indicated that the almond milk was naturally lactose and soya free which led her to believe that the product would also be free of cow’s milk. As a result, she did not read the ingredient list on the back of the product label which listed casein as an ingredient. Listen in to hear the full podcast with Wendy Knowler (Cape Talk) or skip to minute 06:00 for the interview with the concerned mother and our director Dr Harris Steinman’s comments on dairy alternatives at minute 13:20.
Amid the hype of R.638 being published on 22 June 2018, a new Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) regulation was als...

How to pick your fruit and regulate it too

29 January 2019
Amid the hype of R.638 being published on 22 June 2018, a new Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) regulation was also born. In case you haven’t yet had a chance to meet, let us introduce you: Regulations Relating to the Grading, Packing and Marking of Fresh Fruits Intended for Sale in the Republic of South Africa. Nickname? R.631/2018. Now, we can hear your thoughts: “Oh no – do I have to comply with this?” The regulation defines ‘fresh fruit’ as follows: Berries (blackberries; blueberries; cranberries; gooseberries; raspberries); Cactus pears; Cherries; Dragon fruit; Figs; Granadillas; Guavas; Jack fruit; Kiwi fruit; Mangoes; Papayas; Persimmons; Pomegranates; Quinces; Star fruit; Strawberries; Watermelons and Melons. These fruits are required to be marked with a class – ‘class 1’, ‘class 2’ or ‘lowest class’, as applicable – among other marking requirements. This regulation also lays out specific inspection requirements for the fruits that fall within its scope. However, caution is advised, as the regulation does not repeal the regulations on citrus and subtropical fruits or deciduous fruits. So if your products fall under the definition of fresh fruit, and you need assistance with correct labelling for your fresh fruits – contact FACTS.
The new Regulations Relating to Maximum Levels of Metals in Foodstuffs R. 588/2018 were published in June this year and came into effect ...

Heavy metals

18 January 2019
The new Regulations Relating to Maximum Levels of Metals in Foodstuffs R. 588/2018 were published in June this year and came into effect in September with a range of changes. There are 10 new definitions including “fruiting vegetables” and “leafy vegetables”. In Annexure A, several metals were excluded from the Maximum Levels for Metals in Foodstuffs such as Antimony, Copper and Zinc which were previously included in the regulations. Does this exclusion dictate that these metals do not have a maximum level, or does it mean they should not be present at all? For the metals that were included, there are many more inclusions of types of foodstuffs and their levels than previously as well as the inclusion of methylmercury as a metal with maximum levels present in fish and predatory fish. For more information on this, contact FACTS to assist you with your regulatory and testing needs.

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