TOPIC SA

Official account of consumer-led organisation testing the accuracy of product labels in South Africa, with a focus on the organic, green & wellness sector.

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

@SAFCEI has officially launched its Verified #CageFree Campaign calling on businesses to commit to sourcing only cage-free eggs to help shift the food industry toward more ethical practices.

https://t.co/CCiJoP0zjT

#EthicalFood #FoodSystems #CapeTown #SouthAfrica

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

According to a Wits University study, South Africans consume much more sugar than recommended, with an estimated 12 - 24 teaspoons daily, of which 4 - 8 teaspoons come from sugar-sweetened beverages. This exceeds the recommended daily limit of 6 teaspoons. https://t.co/rBNh2vpUTd

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

Confusing food labels make healthy choices difficult, especially for children. Experts argue that mandatory Front-of-Package Warning Labels are a simple, evidence-based measure to help families identify unhealthy products.
#FoodLabels #Transparency https://t.co/Rs3e3CbodV

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

The agriculture department & SAPS raided Buffalo City Metro stores in the Eastern Cape, seizing mislabeled counterfeit honey. Beekeepers warn #FakeHoney undercuts sales, erodes trust & threatens pollination-dependent agriculture🍯https://t.co/ko0U1QH8Oq
#FoodFraud #SouthAfrica

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗻-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗻-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲? 🍞❓

Ever wondered if a product is as safe and trustworthy as the label claims?

Now you can nominate gluten-free bread brands for testing.
👉 Tell us the product’s name in the comments below.

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

Generations of South African mothers have trusted Nestlé to feed their babies. In the Eastern Cape, many spend their meagre income on products of the Swiss brand without knowing that these could harm their children’s health.

https://t.co/v8nKo6vIlS
#FoodLabels #AddedSugar

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

Nutrition labels are hard to read. But front-of-package labelling translates the info consumers need into simple language.

@heala_SA has a petition to advocate for stronger #LabellingLaws, see here: https://t.co/1SU4hK5FIZ

#FoodLabels #Transparency #SouthAfrica

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

𝗜𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗻-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗻-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲? 🍞❓

Ever wondered if a product is as safe and trustworthy as the label claims?

Now you can nominate gluten-free bread brands for testing.
👉 Tell us the product’s name in the comments below.

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

Under #SouthAfrica's latest proposed #FoodLabelling regulations 100% fruit juices won't have to show a high sugar warning because the sugars are "naturally occurring" - researchers say that this is a mistake. https://t.co/H3QVotsVWh
#foodlabels

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

Our 15th investigation: @WOOLWORTHS_SA #FreeRange Beef under the spotlight 🔎

🧪 Key findings:
✅ Lab tests confirmed no detectable antibiotics or stimulants
⚠️ Regulatory gaps remain
❓ #Transparency concerns

https://t.co/Pk16qvkaT3
#FoodLabels #ConsumerRights #SouthAfrica

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

US-based Consumer Reports recently tested 41 types of powdered formula for a number of toxic chemicals, including arsenic, lead, BPA, acrylamide and PFAS. Some of the results were concerning...

https://t.co/1dU2DWVbhZ
#FoodSafety #HeavyMetals

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

"Surprisingly, the Nutrition Facts label’s greatest impact may have been driving the food industry to reformulate products to achieve appealing nutrient profiles – even if consumers weren’t closely reading the labels."

https://t.co/tkTeMUihk3
#FoodLabels

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

Labelling foods as ultra-processed might not be so helpful for consumers who want to know how healthy a product is, UK experts say.

https://t.co/tuPI0vE4A0
#FoodLabels #UltraProcessed

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

Researchers have analysed on-package marketing to evaluate compliance with the government's proposed R3337.

80% of products would require warning labels due to high sugar, sodium or saturated fat levels.
https://t.co/c9hU42jLX2
#Foodlabels #FoodLabelling #SouthAfrica

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

Over-the-counter protein powders may contain disturbing levels of lead and cadmium according to a new investigation. Plant-based powders contained three times more lead than whey-based products.

https://t.co/hF4s6TwTQu
#HeavyMetals #FoodSafety

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

For the first time in 30 years, the USA's FDA has redefined what it means for food to be labelled as “healthy.”

#SouthAfrica has also been working on improving front-of-pack #FoodLabelling focusing on consumer education to understand #FoodLabels.

https://t.co/OWFKY23GBi

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

There are 2 very different kinds of “expiry dates” in law & only one relates to #Food Safety.

Our #FoodLabelling regulations refer to use-by dates, which must be placed on fresh, perishable foods but best before dates are different...

https://t.co/jQkHgKaGxR

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

The FDA has banned Red Dye No. 3 or erythrosine from food. This petroleum-based artificial colorant causes cancer in animals & is linked to hyperactivity in children.

South Africa banned Red Dye 3 in 1994 following similar bans in the European Union.

https://t.co/jSshe7jqE7

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

"One of the recommendations by the commission is that supermarkets must, within a year, start to sell fruit and vegetables in a way that makes it easy for the consumer to compare prices."

https://t.co/25v6OaPLqH

#Transparency #ConsumerRights

[TOPIC SA @topic_label]

South African Consumers are urged to pay special attention to the #FoodLabelling, the production and best before dates as precautionary measures before buying and consuming food products.

https://t.co/SDop38vV9t

#FoodLabels #FoodSafety #SouthAfrica