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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

The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has already issued their first formal decision, soon after being formed by the marketing and adver...

New Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) open for complaints

18 December 2018

The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has already issued their first formal decision, soon after being formed by the marketing and advertising industry. After the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa was placed under liquidation, consumers were left with no recourse when wanting to complain about advertising content. The ARB now fulfils this function, which includes examining the content of advertising, with the aim of removing misleading or offensive advertising (the ARB will not get you the advertised deal or price!). Advertising includes any published claim that tries to promote the use or purchase of goods or services. It includes packaging, websites and social media, as well as non-traditional advertising. “It’s a good idea to read the website, and look at Section II of the Code, before you lodge a complaint,” says ARB CEO Gail Schimmel. Visit the ARB website at www.arb.org.za, where you will find their easy-to-use complaint form, or email them at [email protected].

The ability of bacteria to resist the action of an antibiotic is known as ‘antibiotic resistance’. This antibiotic resistance severely li...

Keep Antibiotics Working

18 December 2018

The ability of bacteria to resist the action of an antibiotic is known as ‘antibiotic resistance’. This antibiotic resistance severely limits the number of antibiotics available for the treatment of a number of diseases. Before the discovery of antibiotics, thousands of people died from bacterial diseases such as pneumonia, or infections following surgery. Now that antibiotics have been discovered and are being widely used, more and more bacteria that were susceptible have become resistant, and have developed numerous different means of fighting against antibiotics. Due to this increase in resistance, several new antibiotics have been discovered and marketed in recent years; despite these discoveries, antibiotic resistance is now a major public health threat. Read more … The European Antibiotic Awareness Day took place on 18 November 2018, raising awareness about the threat to public health from antibiotic resistance, and the importance of the prudent use of antibiotics. Using antibiotics prudently can help to stop resistant bacteria from developing, and keep antibiotics effective for generations to come. The scientists working at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are working together with the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) on the latest annual report on resistance levels in bacteria found in humans, food and animals. Read more …

The Allergen Bureau recently launched a comprehensive, interactive, freely available allergen risk-review guide. The guide takes the f...

New Allergen Risk Review website launched

18 December 2018

The Allergen Bureau recently launched a comprehensive, interactive, freely available allergen risk-review guide. The guide takes the form of an interactive factory map that shows where allergen risks can occur in different areas of a food-manufacturing facility. You can easily navigate your way through the interactive factory map, clicking on each icon to learn about the allergen risks, and discovering ways to address these challenges. This guide is a must-see for those in the process of developing an allergen management plan, and an amazing resource for those who have an existing plan. Find the site at the following link: www.allergenbureau.net/risk-review/ Happy learning!