South Africa’s regulated common allergens
In 2010 the Directorate of Food Control (which falls under the Department of Health) published Regulations Relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs (R. 146/2010, as amended in 2010 and 2012), together with a set of guidelines (amended in 2012). The department recognised the need to protect food-allergic consumers, and thus included clauses on allergen labelling and control in the regulation and its guidelines.
Currently, eight foodstuffs and their derivatives are recognised as common allergens in South Africa.
These are:
- Cow’s milk
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts (almond, Brazil nut, cashew nut, hazelnut, macadamia nut, pecan nut, pistachio nut, walnut)
- Soya
- Significant cereals (wheat, rye, barley, oats, crossbred hybrids)
- Egg
- Crustaceans & Molluscs
- Fish
As a resource to the Food Industry, we’re excited to bring you an infographic of South Africa’s Regulated Common Allergens in Mzanzi’s 11 official languages.
These posters are optimized for A4 and A3 printing.
All translations done to the best of our ability and in good faith. Please email any queries to [email protected]
ENGLISH | SOUTH AFRICA’S REGULATED COMMON ALLERGENS | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
AFRIKAANS | SUID-AFRIKA SE GEREGULEERDE GEWONE ALLERGENE | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
ISINDEBELE | MELAWANA YA AFRIKA BORWA E E LAOLANG DIJO TSE GANTSI DI BAKANG DIALEJI | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
ISIXHOSA | IZINTO EZIBANGELA I-ALEJI NGOKOMTHETHO WASEMZANTSI AFRIKA | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
ISIZULU | AMA-ALLERGEN AJWAYELEKILE AGUNYAZIWE ENINGIZIMU AFRIKA | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
SEPEDI | MELAWANA YA AFRIKA BORWA YEO E LAOLAGO DIJO TSEO GANTSI DI GANANAGO LE MMELE | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
SESOTHO | DIALEJENE TSE SETLWAEDING TSE LAOLWANG AFRIKA BORWA. LAOLOANG SA | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
SETSWANA | MELAWANA YA AFRIKA BORWA E E LAOLANG DIJO TSE GANTSI DI BAKANG DIALEJI | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
SISWATI | MZANSI AFRIKA UBEKE MTHETFO WEM A-ALLERGENS LAHLOBENE | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
TSHIVENDA | ZWIVHANGA ALEDZHI ZWO DOWELEAHO ZWI LANGIWAHO AFRIKA TSHIPEMBE | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
XITSONGA | SWIVANGELO SWA TIALEJI LESWI TOLOVELEKEKE LESWI LAWURIWAKA EAFRIKA DZONGA | DOWNLOAD A4 | DOWNLOAD A3
The regulations give clear requirements on how to indicate on a product label the presence of common allergens in a product. It distinctly and purposefully differentiates between allergens that are present due to being deliberately added (i.e. an allergen is an ingredient), and those that are present due to cross-contamination. Each scenario has its own unique labelling approach, as shown in the flow diagram and explained in the table below.
Additionally, the regulations provide clear guidance on when manufacturers are allowed to make gluten-free and allergen-free claims, and set out conditions for each. They also require allergen control in the food manufacturing environment.
According to the diagram above, there are three possible allergen-labelling pathways. Let’s look at a case study, to put these pathways into context.
Coconut Shortbread
Ingredients: Rice flour, butter (cream, salt) (cow’s milk), desiccated coconut, corn starch, salt, baking powder, xanthan gum, flavouring.
Peanut Shortbread
Ingredients: Rice flour, butter (cream, salt) (cow’s milk), peanut pieces, corn starch, salt, baking powder, xanthan gum, flavouring.
The table below summarises the three labelling pathways as they pertain to the coconut shortbread biscuits:
The FACTS Allergen Management Division is here to assist you on your journey to managing allergens more effectively. Do you need help with ensuring that your allergen labelling is compliant, or require support with implementing or maintaining a robust allergen-management plan? FACTS is here to help.
View and register for our popular workshops on our Training & Events page.