South Africa Food Labelling Regulations for Manufacturers (2026)

If you make packaged food in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town or anywhere else in South Africa, or you export packaged food into that market, your label is a legal document. South Africa food labelling regulations are made by the national Department of Health under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972). This guide explains what the current labelling regulation, Government Notice R.146, requires, what the 2023 draft replacement would change, and how to keep your packs ready. It is for manufacturers and exporters, not a legal opinion.

Statements below come from gov.za and Department of Health pages read in October 2026. The law is changing slowly, so confirm the current text with the Department of Health (its food control regulations page lists the categories of food regulation and a food control contact) before you print.

R146: the regulation in force

The Department of Health published the Regulations relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs as Government Notice R.146 on 1 March 2010. According to the Department's statement on gov.za, they replaced the earlier food labelling regulations of 1993 and set out do's and don'ts for information on food labels and in food advertisements, and manufacturers, including importers of foodstuffs, must adapt their labelling. Most requirements applied after a 12-month transition to 1 March 2011. A later gov.za statement says the Minister extended the implementation date by another 12 months at industry's request, that the regulations came into effect on 1 March 2012, and that no further extensions or concessions could be granted.

The two statements list what the regulations cover. In plain terms:

Date marking. A mandatory "Use by" date on perishable pre-packaged foods, with sale prohibited after expiry, and a "Best before" date on non-perishable foods, with no sales ban after that date. Terms such as "sell by" are also mentioned.
Traceability. A batch number and the manufacturer's physical address.
Ingredients. An ingredients list that discloses important contents such as colourants and preservatives.
Allergens. Common food allergens, such as peanuts, tree nuts, soya, dairy and wheat gluten, must be declared, including when they appear as ingredients in processed foods.
Country of origin or where the food was produced.
Claims. Nutrient claims such as "high in fibre" or "sugar free" need set criteria and a prescribed nutrition table. Content or composition information near the product name must not mislead.
Quantitative ingredient declaration (QUID). The percentage of an emphasised ingredient, for example the olive oil in an olive oil spread.
Endorsement logos from endorsing bodies need approval from the Director-General of Health.

Health claims, serving sizes and advertising of foods to children were deferred to a second phase at the time. Those 2010 and 2012 pages are the official statements we could read. They do not reproduce the full text of the regulation, so obtain the regulation itself and any amendments from the Department.

The 2023 draft: what could change

In April 2023 the Department published draft replacement regulations for public comment. gov.za hosts two versions: Government Notice R.3287 of 14 April 2023, and a further notice dated 21 April 2023. They are drafts, with comment due within three months. The parts of the 14 April text we could read propose:

Language: English, plus a second South African official language where space allows, at the manufacturer's choice.
Letter sizes: a minimum height for the name of the food on the main panel, and minimum sizes for other required information, with a smaller allowance for very small packs.
Date marking: "Use by" or "Best Quality Before" wording; stickers not permitted; "Sell by" prohibited.
Imported foods: a minimum remaining shelf life of 12 months at the "Best Quality Before" date.
Allergens: a longer list that includes egg, cow's milk, crustaceans, molluscs, fish, peanuts, soybeans, tree nuts, significant cereals and sulphites.
Front-of-pack labelling: logos on the principal display panel under a nutrient profiling system.
Claims: the words "health" or "healthy" generally prohibited, with listed exceptions.
Nutrition information: foods exempt from the nutrition table unless a nutrition or health claim is made.

We could not find an official gov.za or Department of Health page confirming that a final version has replaced R146. Press commentary in October 2026 describes the 2023 draft as still not finalised, but treat that as context, not as an official statement. The sensible approach is to print labels that meet R146 today and to design artwork that can be adjusted if the final rules arrive. A draft is not law, and the final text may differ.

A label checklist for South African markets

Product name that describes the food truthfully.
Ingredients in the order and format the regulation requires, with allergens clearly declared.
Net content in metric units.
Name and physical address of the manufacturer, and country of origin where required.
Batch or lot number.
The correct date marking for the product type.
Storage instructions where needed.
Any nutrition table or claim backed by the required data.

Keep a controlled copy of each label, with the date of approval and the name of the person who checked it against the regulation.

If you export to South Africa

A Nigerian, Kenyan or Ghanaian processor shipping into South Africa should confirm the label requirements with the importer and the Department of Health before the first order. Our guide to product standards and certification across Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana compares systems, and packaging, labelling and shelf life explains pack design basics. For tougher destination rules, see EU import requirements for African agro exporters.

Frequently asked questions

What is R146? It is the Department of Health's Government Notice R.146 of 1 March 2010, the Regulations relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs.

Are front-of-pack warning labels mandatory now? They are part of the 2023 draft. We found no official confirmation that they are in force.

Do I need to declare allergens? The official statements say common allergens must be declared under R146, including in processed foods.

Must labels be in more than one language? The 2023 draft proposes English plus a second official language where space allows. Check the final text if it is published.

Does Comilmart check my labels? No. You are responsible for compliance. We can show your products to buyers once you are an approved supplier.

Next step

If your labels and papers are in order, apply as a supplier at /apply-manufacturer. It is free. The form asks for your company registration number, tax number, business licence and registration certificate, at least two sample product images, your company mission, vision and core values and at least one B2B category. Admin review is stated as taking about 24 to 48 hours. Buyers can post requests at /request-quotation. For plans and payment questions, use live chat or contact us, and remember that you arrange and pay for shipping and delivery.