The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries approved the publication of the revised Regulations relating to the classification, packing and marking of fat spreads intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa. These regulations were published on 9 March 2012 and will come into effect twelve months after this publication date.
The classification system for fat spreads in use in South Africa since 16 March 1990 was as follows:
For example, yellow fat spreads:
Margarine (80-86% fat)
Medium fat spread (50-65% fat)
Low fat spread (35-45% fat)
The yellow fat spreads may contain only plant fat/oil. The classification is the same for the white fat spreads, except that these fat spreads may contain a mixture of plant/animal/marine oils and fats.
From the above-mentioned, it is visible that there were ranges where no other fat spread may be sold, for example, the range between the medium fat spread and margarine (from 65% to 80%).
The revised South African classification for fat spreads is now as follows:
For example, yellow fat spreads:
Margarine (80-90% fat)
X% fat spread (all below 80% fat) (X indicates the actual fat percentage)
The composition of the yellow and white fat spreads remains the same as previously indicated. However, the consumer must take note that below the margarine class, all fat spreads will be marked as, for example, "75% fat spread", "50% fat spread", "20% fat spread", etc. The class names medium fat spread and Low fat spread and their fat ranges will fall away.
For these X% fat spreads, the intended use of the fat spread must be indicated on the container, such as reference to frying, baking, spreading, etc, based on the performance of the fat spread concerned.
These changes will be phased in by the industry in the year starting from 9 March 2012 and as of 9 March 2013, no fat spreads may be sold under the class names Medium fat spread and Low fat spread.
For further information contact:
Mr Niel Erasmus
Directorate Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Tel: 012 319 6027
Fax: 012 319 6055/6265
E-mail: NielE@daff.gov.za
Revised regulations for fat spreads: Labelling implications for consumers
