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| News & Events |
| 27 Aug 10 |
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| NRCS LEVY CONSULTATION SESSIONS |
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| 24 Aug 10 |
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| Inspectors seize loaves of bread in the Cape |
| Read more.. |
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| 23 Jul 10 |
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| NRCS heads north to conduct surprise raids |
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| Departments - Food & Associated Industries |
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The inspection system of the Food & Associated Industries Department (FAI) is based on monitoring and surveillance of factories, processes and products. FAI assists role players to comply with local and international requirements, and is recognized by EU authorities as the competent authority for the inspection and issue of health guarantees of fish or fishery products destined for Europe.
FAI is an internationally accredited inspection body and fully complies with SANS/ISO 17020 General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection. It has a panel of highly trained and technically competent inspectors, some of whom are expert members of international food inspection bodies.
FAI works in close co-operation with other regulators of food safety and inspectors are authorised to carry out inspections on behalf of the Department of Health in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act.
FAI participates actively in national and international food safety activities including those of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. This is necessary because South Africa is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and South African food regulatory authorities are obliged to ensure compliance with the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreements.
The department has entered into a number of international technical co-operation agreements and inspection standards are continuously bench marked against other national and international inspection systems and world best practice.
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| Protecting the Consumer |
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FAI enforces regulations known as compulsory specifications that set minimum safety standards for:
- Frozen fish and frozen fish products
- Frozen marine molluscs and related frozen products;
- Frozen rock lobster and frozen lobster products;
- Frozen shrimps (prawns), langoustines and crabs;
- Smoked Snoek.
- Canned meat and fish.
These foods present a high risk to consumers in the event of spoilage or contamination.
All compulsory specifications are aligned with international guidelines and practices and continuously harmonized with the Standards and Codes of Practice of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. They apply to all products sold in South Africa (whether locally produced or imported) and exported to other countries.
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| Regulatory Service to Industry |
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INSPECTIONS
FAI inspects and evaluates factories and food processing systems. The physical and sensory examination of raw materials and final products are the also important activities.
FOOD TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
FAI supports industry in applying latest technological advances, particularly in canning and freezing.
ASSISTANCE WITH FOOD STANDARDS
FAI assists industry to interpret the administration and application of a wide spectrum of national and international food laws and standards. Enquiries from consumers are also dealt with.
PROVISION OF HEALTH GUARANTEES
Health guarantees are issued for consignments of fish and fishery products complying with local regulations and those of importing countries, which are processed/packed by approved operators.
FACTORY AND VESSEL INSPECTIONS
FAI maintains a register of vessels and establishments that comply with export requirements.
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| Supporting Industry |
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FAI promotes fair trade, protects national and international markets and assists industry to become globally competitive by ensuring that all regulated products comply with regulations (compulsory specifications) that are aligned with international guidelines and harmonized with the Standards and Codes of Practice of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. They apply to all products sold in South Africa (whether locally produced or imported) and exported to other countries.
The inspection system is based on monitoring and surveillance of factories, processes and products. Inspectors are highly trained and technically competent and FAI is accredited to ISO 17020 General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies
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| Imports and Exports |
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FAI is the competent authority for the issue of Export Health Guarantees for fishery products in South Africa and monitors all imports and exports of regulated products. It applies world best practice and standards to inspections to ensure that South African products are accepted internationally.
The inspection system is based on monitoring and surveillance of factories, processes and products. In order to demonstrate the credibility of inspection results and to verify the competence of the inspection system, FAI is accredited to SANS ISO 17020 General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection by SANAS (http://www.sanas.co.za/) , the South African National Accreditation System. SANAS is signatory to international multi-party agreements with ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation) and IAF (International Accreditation Forum) and FAI accreditation is recognised internationally.
FAI is recognised by EU authorities as the competent authority for the inspection and issue of health guarantees for fish and fishery products destined for Europe, and is regularly audited by EU experts to ensure that fishing, production and inspections meet EU requirements and provide ALOP.
FAI participates in international activities especially those of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. As South Africa is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) 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 bilateral international technical co-operation agreements and the inspectorate is continuously bench marked against other national and international inspection systems.
HEALTH GUARANTEES
Health guarantees (certificates) are issued for consignments of fish and fishery products complying with local regulations and those of importing countries, which are processed/packed by competent operators.
EU APPROVED FACILITIES AND VESSELS
FAI maintains a database of EU approved vessels and facilities.
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| Services to Government |
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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.
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| Consumer and Industry Watch Dog |
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In order to protect consumers FAI maintains constant surveillance over the market for food and food products, fisheries, vessels and processing plants, and draws samples regularly for surveillance, inspection and testing by recognised laboratories.
FAI welcomes comments, suggestions, complaints or other information about the products that we regulate.
Email foodreg@nrcs.org.za or phone +27 (0)12 428 5000.
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