Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

09 September 2004 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Notice R. 790 (Government Gazette 26530) Of 9 July 2004 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For The Manufacture, Production, Processing And Treatment Of Canned Fish, Canned Marine Molluscs And Canned Crustaceans 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

This specification covers the manufacture, production, processing, and treatment of canned fish, canned fish products, canned marine molluscs, canned marine mollusc products, canned crustaceans and canned crustacean products. 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

7.1.2.2 Packing and packing medium
Units shall be neatly finger layed so that there are not excessive void spaces between fish units and fish units and the container. Over filling causing bulging of can lids or mechanical damage to the fish, shall be avoided. Where the product is packed in an oil packing medium such as vegetable oil, the packing medium shall be reasonably free from excessive cooked out protein curds and turbidity indicating poor raw material quality or poor cleaning of fish. Where products are depicted as sardines in a particular oil, the exuded liquid in the oil shall not exceed 30 % of the packing medium.
7.1.2.3 Drained mass
When sardines are packed in an oil or a thin watery medium, the drained mass shall not be less than 75 % of the d.n.m. when determined in accordance with 11.3. When sardines are packed in a thick sauce, the average drained mass of the containers shall be not less than 70 % of the d.n.m with no individual drained mass less than 65 %. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 7.1.2.2 and 7.1.2.3 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Canned sardines in oil or sauce, with oil added and including cured sild sardines, cured brisling, cured pilchards and similar types of fish canned sardine style and packed horizontally in flat cans 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries