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The Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972) is a South African law that primarily regulates the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of foodstuffs, cosmetics, and disinfectants in the country.
It is designed to ensure that these products meet certain quality and safety standards to protect the health and well-being of consumers. The Act also empowers the Minister of Health to make regulations regarding the use of certain ingredients in these products, as well as the labeling and packaging requirements.
The list below consists of some regulations and standards which falls under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act 54 of 1972.
South African legislation governing the maximum limits for pesticide residues that may be present in foodstuffs (R246 of 1994 | R247 of 2005 | R1047 of 2006 | R548 of 2010 | R46 of 2012 | R119 of 2020 | R4388 of 2024).
South African legislation relating to health messages on container labels of alcoholic beverages (R764 of 2007 | R1208 of 2008 | R1143 of 2020).
South African legislation relating to the reduction of sodium in certain foodstuffs and related matters (R214 of 2013 | R1071 of 2017 | R812 of 2019).
South African legislation relating to milk and dairy products (R1555 of 1997 | R1262 of 2010 | R127 of 2014).
South African legislation relating to the labelling of foods for special medical purposes (R493 of 2002).
South African legislation relating to the labelling of foodstuffs obtained through certain techniques of genetic modification (R25 of 2004).
South African legislation relating to the prohibition of the sale of comfrey, foodstuffs containing comfrey and jelly confectionery containing konjac (R1408 of 2003).
South African legislation governing microbiological standards for foodstuffs and related matters (R692 of 1997 | R1588 of 2002 | R1207 of 2008 | R706 of 2011).
South African legislation relating to the labelling and advertising of foodstuffs (R146 of 2010 | R1091 of 2010 | R45 of 2012).
South African legislation relating to general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food and related matters (R638 of 2018) (Certificate of Acceptability)
South African legislation relating to trans-fat in foodstuffs (R127 of 2011).
South African legislation relating to marine biotoxins (R491 of 2005).
South African legislation governing the maximum limits for veterinary medicine and stock remedy residues that may be present in foodstuffs (R1809 of 1992 | R215 of 2006 | R816 of 2017)
South African legislation relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, exportation and sale of polycarbonate infant feeding bottles containing Bisphenol A. (R879 of 2011).
South African legislation regarding processed foodstuffs (R723 of 2001).
South African legislation relating to the powers and duties of inspectors and analysts conducting inspections and analyses on foodstuffs and at food premises (R328 of 2007).
South African legislation governing the composition and labelling of raw boerewors, raw species sausage and raw mixed-species sausage (R2718 of 1990).
South African legislation relating to the labelling of alcoholic beverages (R109 of 2005).
South African legislation relating to foodstuffs for infants and young children (R991 of 2012 | R365 of 2013 | R434 of 2013).
South African legislation relating to all bottled water (R718 of 2006 | R455 of 2010).