Tebogo Madiba :
Manufacturing food products outside of the regulated system and without certification from the SABS or relevant authorities poses serious risks to both public health and the economy. From a health perspective, unregulated production increases the risk of foodborne illnesses, contamination, and mislabelling, because products are not tested for safety, hygiene, and nutritional standards as required under the *Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act 54 of 1972* and the *Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises and the Transport of Food, R638 of 2018*. Economically, uncertified manufacturers undermine formal businesses that comply with the law, evade tax and regulatory costs, and erode consumer confidence, which reduces revenue for the fiscus and costs jobs in the formal food sector. This also violates the *Standards Act 8 of 2008*, which mandates that certain products must comply with SABS standards before being sold. Enforcing these Acts protects consumers, supports legitimate manufacturers, and ensures tax revenue is available for public services.
2026-07-17 23:17:57