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. 791 (Government Gazette 26531) of 9 July 2004 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For The Manufacture, Production, Processing and Treatment of Canned Meat Products 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

This specification specifies requirements for the manufacture, production, processing and treatment of canned meat products intended for human consumption. 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

12. Labellling and marking of containers
12.1 Details required on each container, label or packing material
Subject to 12.6 and in addition to the markings required in terms of the regulations promulgated under the Trade Metrology Act, as well as the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, the following information shall appear in legible and indelible marking on each container or on a label securely attached to each container:
a) The full name and physical address of the manufacturer, producer, proprietor, or controlling company or, in the case of containers packed for any other person or organization, the full name and physical address of that person or organization;
b) the name and true description, taking into cognizance the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act 1941 (Act 17 of 1941) (as amended from time to time), of the contents (see also 12.1.2) including, where applicable, the nature of the medium in which the product is packed and the presence of bone that is, as such, a constituent of a product;
c) where applicable, a statement of ingredients, including the presence, as relevant, of non-meat proteinaceous material by name, and vegetable fat or oil, in descending order of quantities present on the ingoing basis and/or in the final product;
d) where applicable, the presence of artificial colourants in plain type of at least 1,5 mm face measurement:
e) where the product is required to be stored under refrigeration the words "Perishable - keep under refrigeration at a temperature not exceeding 4 "C", in a prominent position in plain type of at least half the size of that used for the name of the product with a minimum of 3 mm face measurement, except that the word "Perishable" shall be in bold type of at least 4,5 mm face measurement;
f) the declared net mass of the contents;
g) the product code, the date of canning, sub-code or the batch number (if used), and the factory identification embossed or otherwise indelibly marked on the container or, in the case of jars, on the cap or label; any mark or code used for the foregoing shall be disclosed for record purposes to the authority administering this specification;
h) information required in terms of the relevant clause dealing with the specific product; and
i) words indicating the country of origin where the product is produced.
12.1.2 True description of contents
A product presented or described as a meat product , or a product on which a statement or claim appears implying that the product is a meat product, or a product with wording in the product name or wording on the main panel implying that the product contains meat, shall contain at least 10 % by mass of actual total meat determined in accordance with the total result of 11.3 plus 1 1.4 or the drained mass of the meat content shall be at least 10 % of the d.n.m. determined in accordance with 10.5.
12.1.2.2 Designation of product
12.1.2.2.1 Unless the meat or edible offal or both (as appropriate) of a product consisting of meat or edible offal or both, and of vegetables, cereal, or other analogous ingredient, constitutes the largest single ingredient on the ingoing basis and, in the end product, constitutes at least 25 %of the d.n.m., the meat or edible offal or both (as appropriate) shall not appear first in the designation of the product.
12.a .2.2.2 In a product that consists of vegetables, cereal, and other similar ingredients with meat or edible offal or both (as such or in prepared form) and falls within the scope of this specification but does not comply with the particular requirements specified for meat or edible offal content, provided that the content of meat or edible offal or both is at least 15 % (10 % in the case of foods for infants), the presence of meat or edible offal shall be declared in the title of the product by means of descriptions such as "Y with X" or "Y containing X' where Y is the basic name of the product (e.g. baked beans in tomato sauce) and X is the meat or edible offal ingredient (e.g. meat balls, sausage).
12.11.2.2.3 Products which undergo a smoking process by exposure to generated smoke, shall be labelled "smoked X" on the main panel of the label or packing material. Any addition of a smoke-flavour that is not obtained by exposure to generated smoke, shall be declared on the main panel of the label. Smoke-flavoured products that have not undergone a process by exposure to generated smoke, shall be labelled as "smoke-flavoured" on the main panel of the label or packaging material. The qualifying word(s) e.g. "smoked" shall appear in immediate conjunction with the product name "X", in a letter size of at least half the size in which the name "X" is featured and of equal prominence and boldness.
42.4 2.3 Meat pastes
In a product, other than liver paste (see 7.1 7.4.l), in the name of which reference is made to one kind of meat only, at least 80 % of the total meat content shall consist of the named meat. Where in the name of the product two kinds of meat are referred to, the named meats shall constitute at least 80% of the total meat content. In addition, the kind of meat named first shall constitute at least 50 % of the total meat content, and that named second at least 20 %, except that if kidney or liver is named second, the minimum requirement shall be 10 % of the total meat and edible offal content. If three kinds of meat are named in the description of the product, the named meats shall constitute at least 80 % of the total meat content. The meat named first shall constitute at least 40 % of the total meat content, and each of the other named meats at least 15 % (except that if kidney or liver is named second or third the minimum requirement for each shall be 10 % of the total meat and edible offal
content). The three kinds of meat shall be named in descending order of contents. For the purposes of true description of contents, cured pork may be regarded as ham.
42.4 .2.4 Potted meat
In a product in the name of which reference is made to one kind of meat only, at least 85 % of the total meat content shall consist of the named meat.
In a product in the name of which two kinds of meat are referred to, the named meats shall constitute at least 85 % of the total meat content. In addition, the kind of meat named first shall constitute at least 50 % of the total meat content, and that named second at least 25 %. If three kinds of meat are named in the description of the product, the named meats shall constitute at least 85 % of the total meat content. The meat named first shall constitute at least 40 % of the total meat content, and each of the other named meats at least 15 %. The three kinds of meat shall be named in descending order of contents.
12.1.2.5 Use of generic names
When a generic name (or names) of animal meat(s) such as beef or pork appears in the name of the product, that product shall not contain any other meat, edible offal, fat, natural binder, etc., which did not originate from the type of animal meat that appear in the name of the product.
12.1.2.6 Description of contents
The type of edible offal, fats or natural binder or any preparation from types of animal other than those from which the meat used in the product is derived shall be declared on the label.
12.2 Labelling and marking
12.2.4.4 Labelling area
Before the start of the labelling operation, the area shall be cleared of any stray cans. The labelling area shall be maintained in a clean, tidy and orderly condition.
12.2.4.2 Condition and handling of containers during labelling
Containers shall be in a condition complying with 9.4.
The handling of containers during the labelling process shall be done in a manner so as to avoid container abuse or damaging or that their seams are subjected to undue stress or mechanical shock.
12.2.1.3 Labels
Labels, outer wrappers, outer cartons, lithographic markings and printing on containers, pictorial presentation and colouring shall be in accordance with the labelling requirements of section 12.1. The size of the label, outer wrapper, outer carton shall be suitable to the container size without being oversized. Printing shall be correct, proper and neat. It is recommended that the authority administering this specification be consulted with regard to the printed lettering size, statements, pictorial presentation and colouring on newly designed labels, outer
wrappers, outer cartons or lithographed cans before they are taken into use.
12.2.1.4 Attachment of labels
Labels, outer wrappers or outer cartons shall not be attached or applied to containers by any person other than the manufacturer or by his authorized agent. Labels, outer wrappers or outer cartons on containers, shall be clean, neat, unspoiled, undamaged and labels or outer wrappers shall be securely attached at the time of despatch from the factory (or at the time of arrival when imported).
Misaligned labels, excess glue or lack of glue, or loose or pleated labels or outer wrappers shall not be present (see 12.2.1.9 and 12.2.1 .lo). Labels or outer wrappers shall not be superimposed over other labels or over outer wrappers that have been affixed on to containers or onto lithographic printed containers.
Materials such as adhesives or glues used for attaching or applying labels, outer wrappers or outer cartons or closing of packages shall not be hygroscopic, or liable to deteriorate during storage after being applied or conducive to corrosion of the can or lid.
12.2.1 .5 Packages - outer containers
Packages in which containers are packed shall be clean, neat and undamaged. Outer containers such as boxes or cases shall be suitable for the purpose of use, be of correct size to avoid damaging of containers by squeezing or loose movement of the containers inside the outer container. Containers shall not be packed in outer containers in positions prone to cause damaging such as packing containers on their sides.
Outer containers shall be strong enough to protect the finished product.
12.2.1.6 Marking of packages
The following regarding the containers in the package shall be printed or stencilled on the outside of every package. The number and size or net mass of the containers and the information required by 12.1.1(a), (b), (f), (g), and (i) where applicable, (e), except that the business address of the manufacturer need not be the full address but shall be sufficient for identification purposes.
In addition to the date code required by 13.1 (g), any batch number or sub-coding indicating a time period of the production date, andlor any line or seamer number, which appeared on the containers shall also be printed or stencilied on every package. When a code system other than the conventional lettering and digital form such as a bar or edge coding system is used, sufficient information shall appear on the packages to identify the production date and any sub-coding. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 12 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Canned meat products 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries