South Africa proposes new regulations for edible oils

South Africa’s Ministry of Agriculture has proposed a draft regulation on the grading, packing, and labeling of edible vegetable oils sold domestically, according to a report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). The draft, published under the Agricultural Product Standards Act of 1990 and notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on June 27, applies to oils packaged for retail sale and excludes those used as ingredients in manufacturing.

The proposed regulation establishes quality requirements for containers used to package edible vegetable oils and sets labeling standards for both single and blended oils. These measures aim to ensure consistency and transparency in the packaging and labeling of retail products, the USDA notes. Specifically, the regulation bans terms like “lite,” “light,” “extra light,” and “reduced” on packaging and restricts the use of subjective adjectives such as “real,” “premium,” “finest,” and “super” that cannot be objectively verified.

The regulation also outlines chemical testing requirements to verify the composition and quality of a wide range of oils, including arachis, coconut, corn, olive, palm, rapeseed, sunflower, and others. These tests are designed to ensure products meet declared quality standards, protecting consumers and enhancing trust in the South African market for vegetable oils.

Public comments on the draft are open until August 26, 2025, allowing stakeholders to provide feedback and suggestions. The new rules are expected to standardize the retail vegetable oil sector, potentially impacting producers’ marketing strategies that rely on appealing but unsubstantiated label claims.

This move reflects a global trend toward stricter regulation of food products to protect consumers and ensure fair competition. Successful implementation could set a precedent for other countries in the region seeking to align their standards with international norms.

Tags: South Africa, edible oils