Dharmarai Naicker delivered an insightful and deeply relevant session that highlighted a critical gap in South Africa’s food safety ecosystem, the disconnect between regulations and consumer understanding. She opened her presentation with a striking real-world example by polling the audience on what food logos and safety labels actually meant. This reinforced her key message: Food safety regulations are only effective if the public can understand and act on them.

Naicker stressed that while South Africa continues to strengthen its regulatory framework, much of this vital information is failing to reach the mass market. She believes that food safety literacy must begin as early as school level, supported by the government, the private sector, and industry associations. Only a united effort can close the education gap in the B2C market and empower consumers to make safe, informed choices. Her foundational reminder was simple yet powerful: “Food is not food unless it’s safe for consumption.”

Naicker shared a comprehensive overview of the testing market, which is experiencing steady growth with a 3.7% CAGR forecast through 2027. Key drivers include heightened media coverage of recalls and rising consumer concern over product authenticity and contamination.

High-Demand testing sectors
• Meat and beverages lead in testing volumes, largely due to escalating fears around meat fraud.
• Top testing categories include:
-GMO analysis
-Heavy metals
-Allergen testing
To meet increasing demand, laboratories are prioritising rapid, accessible testing methods such as PCR, immunoassays, and rapid microbiological techniques by reducing turnaround times while improving reliability.

Regulatory framework & government responsibilities
Naicker provided clarity on the roles of three key departments shaping South African food safety and trade:

1. Department of Health (DoH)
• Serves as SA’s link with Codex, INFOSAN, and RASFF
• Leads product recalls and food cause analysis for export rejections

2. Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD)
• Custodian of agricultural product standards
• Increasingly accrediting private labs to support export testing

3. Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)
• Technical hub for trade matters
• Supported by NRCS and SANAS in regulatory enforcement

She also highlighted the critical role of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in ensuring fairness, accountability, and swift redress for consumers.

Key food safety challenges in South Africa
1. Food fraud
A persistent and growing threat, illustrated by:
• Fake canned products (e.g., “fish” cans filled with baked beans)
• Illegally relabelled expired goods
• Seizures of large volumes of counterfeit alcohol
Lack of consistent consequences fuels mistrust and increases demand for authenticity testing, especially in meat species verification.

2. The Spaza shop crisis
Linked to tragic incidents involving children, Naicker identified:
• Porous borders enabling illegal pesticide imports
• Poor enforcement knowledge within law enforcement
• Weak controls in informal-sector food manufacturing and repackaging
This crisis disproportionately affects low-income communities and demands urgent intervention.

3. Recalls & contaminants
The most common triggers for product recalls over the past four years include:
• Pesticide residues
• Unapproved additives
• Mycotoxins
• Heavy metals

4. Emerging issues: Packaging, microplastics & household behaviours
Naicker noted that packaging is becoming a key battleground for food safety due to the potential migration of contaminants. Labs are now expanding their testing to include:
• Heavy metals
• Mineral oils
• Melamine
• PFAS
• Microplastics

She also shared insights on consumer-level risks:

Straw safety debate
• Paper straws often contain PFAS coatings
• Plastic straws shed microplastics
• Best option: Reusable stainless< steel or glass straws

Reusable shopping bags
A hidden food safety hazard if not cleaned regularly. Naicker advised:
• Disinfect after every use
• Separate bags for meat, produce, and ready-to-eat items
• Keep bags clean and dry (avoid leaving them in the car boot)

Bottled water
Consumers should look for the SANBWA logo, indicating:
• Compliance with SANSA 241
• Verified purity and hygiene standards
• Responsible water sourcing
• Protection from unsafe refill stations

Conclusion
Naicker’s message was clear: Strengthening food safety testing and regulation is essential, but public education is the missing link. Without consumer understanding, food safety efforts cannot reach their full impact. She encouraged industry stakeholders to invest not just in testing, technology, and compliance but in awareness, communication, and public trust.

“Food safety doesn’t end in the laboratory or the regulation book it ends in the hands and understanding of the consumer. Education is our greatest tool for protection.” Dharmarai Naicker