Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A31: Labelling 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

7.1.11 Canned minced fish
7.1 .1 1.1 Preparation and presentation
The product shall not consist out of a mixture of fish species unless this is conspicuously declared in the name of the product.
Except for requirements rendered inapplicable by the nature of the pack, canned minced fish shall comply with the requirements of this specification.
Except that damaged fish units may be permitted, the raw fish used shall comply with this specification. The product shall be prepared from the body parts of fish without the heads and viscera. The bone to flesh ratio shall practically be the same that occurs in middle cut pieces of fish. Excessive tail-end pieces and scales shall be not used. Pieces of the head, gills, gut, intestines or its contents or other unsuitable or any unsound fish parts shall not be used.
It shall be labelled to disclose its true nature, and the name of the fish used shall be declared in the name of the product and in the list of ingredients.
7.1 .I 1.2 Absence of certain particular defects
When determined in accordance with 11.16, the product shall not contain more than 5 % starch. The product shall have a uniform minced texture where the flesh has been reduced to a uniform size in that particles are discrete and do not comprise of a paste or an emulsified texture. The product shall not contain large pieces of fish. It shall not contain a large amount of denatured protein or honeycombing. The texture shall not be soggy or watery. It shall not have a gritty texture due to the presence of an abnormally high amount of bone pieces or a high amount of scales or any other added ingredients that cause grittiness in the product. The texture shall not be extremely
closed and excessively compact or doughy.
The product shall not contain an excessive amount of exuded aqueous material. It shall be practically free from other exuded matter such as starch and protein. Upon removal out of the container, the product shall retain essentially the shape of the container without falling apart and shall practically be free from excessive surface cavities that affect its appearance.
The product shall have an acceptable uniform colour. The colour of the product shall not be abnormally dark due to excessive amounts of skin pigment and tail-ends. It shall be practically free from discolouration on the surface due to oxidation. The product shall be free from discolouration such as metal soiling or scorching. The product shall be free from fish eyeballs. Green feed, gut or pieces of gut shall be absent.
The odour and flavour of the product shall be characteristic of the fresh product and bitter or scorched flavours and odours shall be absent. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 7.1.11.1 paragraph 5 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Canned minced fish 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries