Question NW1276 to the Minister of Health
19 May 2023 - NW1276
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Health
What additional measures is his department putting in place to ensure that food products such as energy drinks, fizzy drinks, confections and fast foods have reduced levels of sugar and less unhealthy ingredients, in order to move to a more preventative healthcare system, given the fact that the demand for healthcare services is increasing at an alarming rate whilst the current measures that are in place are inadequate?
Reply:
The Department has published the draft Regulations relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs for public comments in April 2023. These regulations include mandatory Front of Pack Labelling (FOPL) on the main panel of any foodstuff that has high levels of sugar, saturated fats and salt or contain artificial sweeteners. The closing date for public comments is Thursday, 20 July 2023.
Furthermore, the Department has updated the Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Obesity in South Africa 2023 – 2028. The sixth strategic objective intends to create an enabling policy and legislative environment to prevent and manage obesity. The activities include the extension of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) to other unhealthy foods and developing a regulatory framework/instrument that restricts the marketing of unhealthy foods to children in South Africa.
END.