Food Focus Newsletter 14 of 2023

Hello and welcome to our second July newsletter.  We've spotted some interesting topics in the media this week, which we thought we'd share with you.

Is the goal of ending world hunger by 2030 an impossible task?
According to several UN agencies, 122 million more people are suffering from hunger as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, climate shocks, and recent conflicts compared to 2019. If no changes are made, the current goal of ending world hunger by 2030 will be unachievable, and instead, 600 million people will be affected.
Read more about it here...


Calling on Common Sense.
It seems like the UK is facing a similar issue to South Africa when it comes to the naming of plant-based products!

Lobbyists for the multinational meat and dairy industry are demanding a crackdown on terms like “soy milk,” “veggie burger” and “vegan cheese,” claiming they dupe shoppers into thinking they contain animal products
 
But research by the Alternative Proteins Association (APA) – the UK trade body for the plant-based, cultivated, and recombinant protein sector – warns that such concerns about using traditional meat and dairy terminology are “completely groundless.”
 
In fact, their report indicates that removing familiar phrases from packaging could confuse shoppers, and make it harder for them to make informed choices when purchasing food.
Read more about it here...

The Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill, has been approved by the Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa (the Bill) and published for public comment.

The World Health Organisation is in favour of the Bill, saying that "It is consistent with South Africa’s obligations under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and brings South Africa back to the forefront of international tobacco control best practice."

While not a food regulatory issue, this does impact a sector of the food industry - the hospitality industry, and they are asking for input. 

Restaurants will no longer be allowed to have designated smoking areas or lounges. Customers who want to smoke or vape will have to go outside and walk a “prescribed distance” from the door to smoke. Restaurant staff will be responsible for making sure they comply with this law.

The restaurant industry is asking for industry feedback to include in the submission they are drafting - find out details via the link below.

National Tobacco Control Bill Restaurant Response

To fortify its focus even more, the DSA's independent laboratory, DSA Lab Services, was launched in 2019.

The entire dairy value chain plays an extremely important role when it comes to protecting the integrity of South Africa’s dairy industry. In this respect, the DSA is the industry’s watchdog and therefore focuses on:

• Monitoring milk and dairy products.
• Communicating with the industry and other stakeholders.
• Providing support services to the industry and stakeholders.

If you have content, company news, or new products to share - this is for you!