FAI supports Government in protecting health and safety of food products, to promote fair trade and to protect national and international markets.

FAI administers regulations (compulsory specifications) that are aligned with international guidelines and practice and continuously harmonized with the Standards and Codes of Practice of the Codex Alimentarius . They apply to all products sold in South Africa (whether locally produced or imported) and exported to other countries.

At national level, FAI works in close co-operation with several other legislators and regulators in the food arena. In addition to their appointments by NRCS, FAI inspectors are appointed by the Department of Health as Inspectors in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act. Nationally and Internationally FAI represents South Africa in international activities including Codex Alimentarius. This is essential because as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) South African food regulatory authorities are obliged to ensure compliance with the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreements. FAI has entered into various international technical co-operation agreements with Regulatory authorities and inspections are continuously benchmarked against other national and international inspection systems.