What can we expect from 2026 in terms of regulations?

The bad news is, we don’t know! But the good news is that based on drafts that were published recently, we may have a clue…

Over the past two years, South Africa’s regulatory landscape has been anything but quiet, bringing new regulations on meat analogues and sorghum products, and compulsory specifications for dried abalone and smoked fish. There were also quite a few amendments to existing regulations and acts; of these, the changes to the liquor products regulations may be the most significant.

Meanwhile, several draft regulations relating to the labelling and/or composition of certain foodstuffs were distributed for comment. Of note are new regulations relating to food additives, and the regulations regarding the grading, packing and marking of edible vegetable oils. Proposed amendments that were distributed include the regulations relating to mycotoxins, vinegar and imitation vinegar, dairy and related dairy products, and rooibos and green rooibos products, as well as the frozen fruit and frozen vegetables regulation.

Then there is the elephant in the room: the finalisation of the regulations relating to the labelling and advertising of foodstuffs. It’s been three years this month since R. 3337 was published for comment. Unfortunately, no one knows whether another draft will be published, or whether the decision will be made that the regulation should now be published as final. Only time will tell; meanwhile, we all wait with bated breath!

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