The South African government has updated regulations for plant-based meat alternatives to provide clear and accurate labelling. These products must have a clear description "plant-based", "vegan," or "vegetarian," etc on the packaging, which distinguishes it from traditional animal-based foods. Terms that indicate animal presence, "beef-style," or "chicken-flavoured," are no longer permitted by the updated regulations to limit misperception by consumers. The goal of these changes is to protect consumers when products are similar in taste and form to animal-based meat. This is particularly important for health-conscious product development initiatives and food product development strategies targeting ethically aware consumers. [1]
South Africa Tightens Labelling Standards for Plant-Based Meat Products: Regulatory Insights
The South African government has updated regulations for plant-based meat alternatives to provide clear and accurate labelling. These products must have a clear description “plant-based”, “vegan,” or “vegetarian,” etc on the packaging, which distinguishes it from traditional animal-based foods. Terms that indicate animal presence, “beef-style,” or “chicken-flavoured,” are no longer permitted by the updated regulations to limit misperception by consumers. The goal of these changes is to protect consumers when products are similar in taste and form to animal-based meat. This is particularly important for health-conscious product development initiatives and food product development strategies targeting ethically aware consumers. [1]
Key Highlights
Minimum Protein Content Requirement
Products marketed under a claim of “meat replacer,” “meat alternative,” or “meat substitute” must contain at least 9% protein. This requirement only applies to claims made on the principal display panel, ensuring the nutritional product development aligns with consumer expectations for protein content in plant-based meat alternative products.
Naming Requirements
The regulations set clear limits for product names. Common terms such as “burger,” “sausage,” “nugget,” and “hot dog,” are still acceptable if they all include qualifiers such as plant-based, vegan, or fungi-based. Animal-related descriptors, however, such as chicken-style, beef-style, or B*con, are expressly prohibited by the Agricultural Product Standards Act of 1990 to avoid confusing the consumer into thinking they are associated with animal products.
Industry Consultation and Support
The framework demonstrated the value of further engagement with stakeholders. Back in 2022, the DALRRD (Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development) proposed banning the use of the words “burger” and “sausage” – but after considerable industry feedback, new application guidelines were produced in October 2024. The revised application guidelines benefitted from contributions of LIVEKINDLY Collective Africa (LKCA) and Fry Family Foods, both highly engaged and influences organisations in the result. These guidelines support Ready to cook foods and other food product development projects in South Africa’s plant-based meat alternative market.
Reframing Plant-Based Products
Industry leaders emphasize the broader implications of the changes. Clare Ewing, LKCA Head of Sales and Marketing, indicated that the new regime not only made compliance clearer but also repositioned plant-based foods as distinct protein foods rather than substitutes of meat. This mirrors a global consumer shift, reinforcing health-conscious product development and highlighting opportunities in nutritional product development.
Industry Response
Fry Family Foods supported the regulation, stating solid and consumer-based naming and classifications are important keep credibility within the category and support innovation. The company plans to gradually update product labels, ensuring no disruption in market availability for Ready to cook foods and other plant-based meat alternative products. [1] [2]
Testing Standards:
Plant-based meat alternative are subject to more extensive food safety testing within the scope of South Africa’s comprehensive food legislation. This means that accredited laboratories will be required to undertake:
- Migration Tests: Assessing the likelihood of contamination from packaging to food.
- Challenge Tests: Considering contamination risk, under worst case storage and use conditions.
- Extraction tests: Confirming that residual contamination is below acceptable levels.
All testing must be done by SANAS-accredited laboratories to ensure uniform safety standards for both domestic and imported plant-based meat alternative products.
For example, final product contamination must be <220 µg/kg in resin and ≤10 µg/kg in food simulants. These measures also ensure food product development processes meet regulatory and safety standards. [3]
Labelling Requirements:
Under the new regulations, plant-based meat products must provide required labelling information, including the distinction of the “Plant-Based” or “Vegan” label. The front of the package is required to display a name stating “100% Plant-Based” if true and to also show brokers and manufacturers offer a fully vegan product. Documents must provide substantiating information written specifically on the ingredients if necessary so consumers are aware of different allergens and added substances. Transparency is required to allow consumers to make their own informed decisions according to their chosen diet and to allow for avoidance of animal-based ingredients. [4]
Packaging and Recycling Technologies:
The revised regulations in South Africa also give specific guidance on packaging materials. There are limitations on what recycling technologies can be used for paper-based products, and the regulations specifically state what recycled technologies can be used for Food contact materials (FCMs), including plant-based products. The same recycling technologies in food packaging materials (eg: FCMs) would be like what was practised previously in the circular economy of plastic and paper products. The recycling technologies are:
- Superclean Recycling: A premium technology where possible contaminants can be eliminated at the molecular level
- Melt-in Processing: Based on heat extrusion to decontaminate material and in doing so to provide safety in food packaging
- Paste-in Processing: A solvent-assisted cleaning technology combined with decontamination processes followed by revisions of the forms
- Chemical Recycling: A process that reverts PET back into its monomers and is then re-polymerized into new material for food packaging
Mechanical recycling without proper decontamination is not allowed. These measures also support sustainability in nutritional product development and food product development for plant-based meat alternative items.[5]
Sustainability Context
Global demand for plant-based meat products is driven not only by health concerns but also by environmental awareness. In South Africa, the new regulation supports this shift by encouraging lower carbon footprints through reduced packaging waste and mandating certified rPET for food-grade applications. This approach aligns with the global transition toward circular economies and is expected to drive continued innovation in sustainable packaging solutions.
Safety & Compliance Parameters:
Plant-based meat products in South Africa are required to comply with safety and compliance parameters to maintain its integrity. This includes:
- Challenge Tests: Plant-based meat products undergo testing under optimum possible worst-case contamination to identify the potential level of contamination that could possibly migrate from packaging to the food.
- Migration Tests: These tests identify whether there are any contaminants that have migrated from packaging material into the food product itself.[6]
- Extraction Tests: These tests assess that any residual contaminants from packaging do not exceed established limits in food simulants.
All assessments are required to be done at accredited labs, with mandatory compliance for the product to enter the market.
Stakeholder Implications
To Manufacturers:
Producers must upgrade decontamination lines, update clean labels to reflect actual plant-based meat alternative percentages, and ensure proper food product development. Additional testing and certification may increase initial compliance costs, but partnering with nutritional product development services can streamline processes. [6]
For Retailers & Brands:
Retailers have an important role in delivering compliant labels and building consumer trust. Transparent labelling aligns with consumer preferences and allows brands to highlight sustainability and ethical practices while marketing Ready to cook foods and plant-based meat alternative products.
For Consumers:
Clearer labelling empowers consumers to make informed choices aligned with ethical, health, or environmental preferences. Mandatory “Plant-Based” or “Vegan” terms enhance confidence and support the continued growth of the sector.
For Exporters:
Exporters must meet South Africa’s labelling and packaging standards to enter the market. Compliance ensures alignment with DAFF regulations and may facilitate access to other international markets with similar requirements. [7] [8]
Product Example:
Product Name: Fry’s
Product Type: Plant Based Meat
Product Image:
International Comparison of Plant-Based Meat Labelling Regulations
To provide a global perspective, the following table compares plant-based meat labelling and regulatory standards across South Africa, the European Union, and the United States. It highlights differences in labelling, protein content requirements, packaging, and sustainability practices.
Parameter | South Africa (DAFF) | EU (EFSA) | US (FDA) |
Approval Authority | Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries | EFSA | FDA |
Labelling | Mandatory “Plant-Based” / “Vegan” terms, no misleading descriptors | Mandatory clarity, no misleading terms | No federal regulation on naming |
Minimum Protein | 9% protein required for meat alternatives | No statutory minimum; protein content generally guided by nutrition labelling (~8–10 g/100g typical) | No federal requirement; varies by product category |
Decontamination | Advanced recycling technologies (e.g., Superclean, Chemical) | EFSA-approved rPET processes | FDA-approved decontamination |
Sustainability Labelling | Emerging sustainability-linked requirements (e.g., rPET use) | Voluntary | Not nationally required |
Guidelines for FBOs Adopting New Labelling Standards
- Check Recycling Sources: Only source from certified rPET sources that follow a verified step for decontamination.
- Test: Work with a Little Red Book accredited laboratory to conduct migration, a challenge, and extract tests to confirm product safety.
- Update Product Labels: Update all product labels to ensure that the consumer has clear, accurate, and compliant information.
- Be Transparent: Communicate all sources within the ingredients including plant save, allergens and use of the source.
- Provide Education to Internal Staff: Train product development, quality assurance, and marketing teams on regulations affecting food product development and nutritional product development. [9]
Conclusion
South Africa’s new labelling regulations mark a significant step in transparency and safety for plant-based meat alternative products. Clear protein requirements, accurate labelling, and updated packaging standards allow consumers to make informed choices, while manufacturers, retailers, and exporters can demonstrate commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Food Research Lab can support manufacturers with food product development, nutritional product development, health-conscious product development, and compliance with South Africa’s regulatory framework for Ready to cook foods and plant-based meat alternative products.
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