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 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES  
 
No. R.             xx/xx/2019  
 
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT STANDARDS ACT, 1990  (ACT No. 119 OF 1990)  
 
REGULATIONS REGARDING THE CLASSIFICATION, PACKING AND MARKING OF CERTAIN RAW  
PROCESSED  MEAT  PRODUCTS INTENDE D FOR SALE IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA  
 
The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development  has under section 15 of the Agricultural 
Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990) –  
 
(a) made the regulations in this Schedule; and 
 
(b) determined that the said regulations shall come into operation 6 months after  the date of 
publication thereof.  
 
 
SCHEDULE  
 
                                             Contents  
                                 Regulation  
 
Definitions      1 
Scope of regulati ons 2 
Restrictions on the sale of raw processed meat products   3 
Classes of raw processed meat products  4 
Specific compositional standards for the classes of  raw processed meat products  5 
Requirements for containers and outer containers  6 
Marking of c ontainers and outer containers  7 
Indicating the appropriate  product name  8 
Additions to the  appropriate  product name  9 
Batch identification  10 
Country of origin  11 
Raw processed meat products presented for sale in a display fridge  12 
Restricted part iculars on containers and outer containers  13 
Obtaining a Primary Sample  14 
Methods of analysis  15 
Offences and penalties  16 
  
Annexure A:  List of imported GI  raw processed meat products protected under the EU SADC EPA  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Definitions  
 
1. Any word or expression in these regulations to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act shall 
have that meaning and, unless the context otherwise indicates – 
 
"address " means a physical address and includes the street or road number or name and the na me of the 
town, village or suburb and, in the case of a farm, the name or number of the farm and of the 
magisterial district in which it is situated , or in the case of imported foodstuffs, if otherwise, the name 
and address as provided for in the Codex Ali mentarius Commission's document entitled: General 
Standard for the  Labelling of Pre -packaged Foods, CODEX STAN 1 -1985 ; 
 
"batch " means a definite quantity of  a raw processed meat  product that is produced essentially under the 
same conditions  and over a peri od not exceeding 24 hours;  
 
"best before date"  or "best quality before date" means the date which signifies the end of period under 
any stated storage conditions during which the unopened product will remain fully marketable and 
will retain any specific qu alities for which implied or express claims have been made, however, 
beyond the date the food may still be acceptable for consumption;  
 
"bird species " means species such as but not limited to Gallus domesticus  (fowls), Meleagus  gallopavo  
(turkeys), Anas  (ducks and muscovies) , and Struthio camelus  (ostrich ) that are fit for human 
consumption ;  
 
"cereal " means a product derived from the grain or edible seed of any cultivated grasses of the family 
Poaceae, which may be used as a food, such as but not limited t o wheat, rice, oats, barley, rye, 
maize  and millet ;  
 
"certain raw processed meat products " (further referred to as ‘raw processed meat products ’ in the text ) 
means within the scope of these regulations, the classes of raw processed meat products set out  in 
regulation 4 , and includes  such products presented for sale in the frozen state ; 
 
"container " means the immediate container manufactured from any suitable material into which the  raw 
processed meat  products  are packed for final sale , includes wrappers , gift packs and hamper packs  
when  such is offered to the consumer ; 
 
"colourant " means a colourant as defined in the regulations published under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and 
Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972);   
 
"domesticated  animal species " means  species such as but not limited to  bovine ( excluding animals from 
the subfamily Bovinae, e.g. buffalo, kudus, etc.) , ovine, porcine and caprine that are fit for human 
consumption ;  
 
"edible offal " means  – 
 
(a) in the case of bird species :  giblets (the heart, neck, the clean and stripped gizzard, the liver 
without the gall bladder ) that are fit for human consumption; and  
 
(b) in the case of domesticated animal  and wild game  species : blood, blood plasma, brain, cow -
heels, diaphragm, gut (casings), demusked  head, ki dneys, omentum, pancreas, pluck 
(oesophagus , trachea, lungs, heart, pericardium, associated lymph nodes, pillars of the 
diaphragm and liver or part thereof (without the gall bladder )), spleen, tail, thymus, tongue, 
cleaned tripe, trotters and udder (in the  case of a heifer) that are fit for human consumption;  
 
"EU SADC EPA " means the European Union and Southern African Development Community Economic 
Partnership Agreement signed on 10 June 2016 between the member states of the European Union 
and the Southern  African Development Community region of which the Republic of South Africa 
forms part;  
 
"Executive Officer" means the officer designated under section 2 (1) of the Act;  
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 "fat" means edible lipids obtained from domesticated animal , bird or wild game  specie s, or plant origin , or a 
combination thereof ; 
 
"fat content " (%) means the mass of the fat expressed as a percent of the total product mass;  
 
"food additive " means a food additive as define d in the regulations published under the Foodstuffs, 
Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972);  
 
"foodstuff " means a foodstuff as defined  in the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 
54 of 1972);  
 
"geographical indication " (GI) means  an indication (name) as defined in the regulations relating to the 
protection of geographical indications used on agricultural products intended for sale in the Republic 
of South Africa published under the Act ; 
 
"hamper pack" or "gift pack" means packaging (e.g. an open carton wrapped in transparent plasti c, a 
sealed transparent plastic bag,  carton with dividing segments  wrapped in transparent plastic  etc.) 
other than an outer container containing multiple containers of raw processed meat products of the 
same class  or of different classes, normally presente d for sale during but not limited to certain 
special occasions, events or holiday periods (e.g. a Christmas hamper, back to school hamper, 
family hamper , braaipack  etc.);   
 
"inedible offal" means –  
 
(a) in case  of bird species : the trachea, lungs, crop, gall bladder  and oviducts; and  
 
(b) in the case of domesticated animal  and wild game species : with the exception of bone, it 
includes  all parts of the animal not included in the definitions for ‘edible offal ’ and ‘meat’ ; 
 
"ingredient" means an ingredient as defined  in the regulations published under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics 
and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972);  
  
"inspector " means the executive officer of the Act or an officer under his or her control, or an assignee or an 
employee of an assignee;  
 
"international agreement " means any bilateral or multilateral treaty, convention, or agreement to which the 
Republic of South Africa is a party/ signatory, and any arrangement between the Republic of South 
Africa and another country, concerning the protection of geographical indications;  
 
"label " means any tag, brand, mark, pictorial, graphic or other descriptive matter, which is written, printed, 
stenciled, marked, embossed, impressed upon, or permanently attached to a container of a  raw 
processed meat product ; 
 
"lean meat  percent " means mass percent of nitrogen represented by subtracting the nitrogen contribution 
from non -meat proteinaceous material present in the product, from the total percent nitrogen 
analyzed, multiplied by a factor of 30;  
 
"lean meat equi valent (%) " (LME %) means percent protein nitrogen (N) multiplied by a factor of 30 (LME 
% = percent protein x 4.8; Protein = Protein N%  x 6.25) : Provided that – 
 
(a) LME % is expressed as a percent of the product mass as offered for sale;  
 
(b) the percent protein  nitrogen content may be from a plant or animal source or both;  
 
"main  panel "  means that part of the container or label that bears the brand name or trademark  of the 
product in greatest prominence or any other part of the container or label that bears the  brand name 
or trade mark  in equal prominence;  
 
"meat " means the clean, sound and wholesome skeletal musculature and fatty tissue of any domestic ated 
animal , bird or wild game species, used as a foodstuff, together with any connective tissue,  WTO  DRAFT  
 
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 residual/intr insic blood,  bone, fat and cartilage that occurs naturally in the skeletal musculature of 
the dressed carcass and head, excluding the musculature of the lips, snout, scalp and ears;  
 
"meat analogue " (also known as meat substitute, mock meat, faux meat or imitation meat) means products 
that –  
 
(a) approximates the aesthetic qualities (primary texture, flavo ur and appearance) and/or 
chemical characteristics of specific type of meat; and  
 
(b) are made from non -meat ingredients  and available in different forms ( coarse ground -meat 
analogues, emulsified meat analogues and loose fill, etc.);  
 
"mechanically recovered meat" (MRM) means pulped material consisting predominantly of muscular 
tissue, collagen, marrow and fat recovered by a process whereby bone and meat are mec hanically 
separated of which the calcium content shall not exceed 1.5% [Please note: MRM is synonymous 
with mechanically separated meat (MSM), mechanically deboned meat (MDM) and mechanically 
boned meat (MBM)];  
 
"outer container " means a container which co ntains more than one container of a raw processed meat 
product, and includes hamper packs or gift packs, but excludes  any type of outer container in which 
raw processed meat products are transported  (e.g. crate, lugs etc.) ;  
 
"primary sample"  means a rando mly selected number of containers fr om a batch as set out in item 14 ; 
 
"raw banger"  or "raw griller" means any sausage sold under a name in which the word “banger”  or “griller”  
appears , either by itself or in combination with any other word or expression, and which complies 
with the compositional standard s as set out  in regulation 5 (11); 
 
"raw boerewors" means any sausage sold under a name in which the word “boerewors” appears , either by 
itself or in combination with any other word or expression, and which complies with the compositional 
standard s as set out  in regulation 5( 7);  
 
"raw braaiwors " or "raw sizzler" means any sausage sold under a name in which the word “ braaiwors ” or 
“sizzler”  appears , either by itself or in combination with any other word or ex pression, and which 
complies with the compositional standard s as set out  in regulation 5( 12); 
 
"raw burger ", "raw patt y" and "hamburger patty " means any meat type product sold under a name  in 
which the word “burger” , “patty ” and “hamburger patty”  appears e ither by itself or in combination with 
any other word or expression, and  which complies with the compositional stand ards as set out in 
regulation 5(10); 
 
"raw flavoured ground meat and offal" or "Raw flavoured minced and offal mix" or "Raw flavoured 
meat and offal mix"  means any type of product sold under a name(s) in which the words “ground 
meat and offal”  or “flavoured ground meat and offal” or “flavoured minced and offal mix” or “minced 
and offal mix” or “flavoured meat and offal mix” or “meat and offa l mix”  appears either by itself or in 
combination with any other word or expression, and which complies with the compositional 
standards as set out in regulation 5( 4); 
 
"raw flavoured ground meat " or "raw flavoured minced mix " or "raw flavour ed meat  mix" means any 
meat type product sold  under a name(s) in which the words “ground” or “flavoured ground meat” or 
“flavoured minced mix” or “minced mix” or “f lavoured meat mix ” or “meat mix” appears either by itself 
or in combination with any other word or express ion, and which complies with the compositional 
standard s as set out  in regulation 5(3 ); 
 
"raw flavoured mixed -species ground meat and offal" or "Raw flavoured mixed -species minced and 
offal mix " or "Raw flavoured mixed -species meat and offal mix " means any  ground meat and 
offal or minced and offal mix or meat and offal mix manufactured from a mixture of the meat and offal 
of two or more species of domesticated animals, birds or wild game that is sold under a name in 
which the names of the different species and the words “ground meat and offal” or “minced and offal WTO  DRAFT  
 
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 mix” or “meat and offal mix” appear, either by themselves or in combination with any other word or 
expression, and which complies with the compositional standards as set out in regulation 5( 6);    
 
"raw flavoured mixed -species ground meat " or "raw flavou red mixed -species minced mix " or "raw 
flavoured mixed -species meat mix"  means any ground meat or minced mix  or meat mix  
manufactured from a mixture of the meat of two or more species of domesticated animal s, birds or 
wild game that is sold under a name in which the names of the different species and the word s 
“ground meat” or “minced mix”  or “meat mix”  appear, either by themselves or in combination with any 
other word or expression, and which complies  with the compositional standards as set out in 
regulation 5(5);    
 
"raw minced meat"  means any meat type product sold  under a name(s) in which the words “minced” or 
“minced meat” appears either by itself or in combination with any other word or expressio n, and 
which complies with the compositional standards as set out in regulation 5(1);  
 
"raw mixed -species minced meat " means any meat type product manufactured from a mixture of the meat 
of two or more species of domesticated animal s, birds and/or wild gam e and that is sold under a 
name in which the names of the different species and the word “minced” or “minced meat” appear, 
either by themselves or in combination with any other word or expression, and which complies with 
the compositional standard s as set out in regulation 5 (2); 
  
"raw mixed -species  sausage"  or "raw mixed -species  wors"  means any sausage manufactured from a  
mixture of the meat of two or more species of domesticated animals, birds and/or wild game and that 
is sold under  a name in which the na mes of the different species and the word “sausage”  or “wors”  
appear, either by themselves or in combination with any other word or expression, and which 
complies with the compositional standard s as set out  in regulation 5(9); 
 
"raw species sausage " or "raw species wors"  means any sausage manufactured predominantly from the 
meat of a specific species of domesticated animals, birds or wild game and that is sold under a 
name in which the name of the specific species and the word “sausage” or “wors” appear, ei ther by 
itself or in combination with any other word or expression, and which complies with the compositional 
standard s as set out  in regulation 5 (8); 
 
"registered trade mark " means a registered trade mark  as defined in the Trade Marks Act, 1993 (Act No. 
194 of 1993);  
 
"scale label"  means  a label that is printed by a n electronic  scale (weighing machine) mainly for the purpose 
of indicating the weight and price of the product, but which may also include other information  about 
the product concerned  such as e .g. an abbreviated description  of the product, best before date, 
country of origin, etc.; 
 
"the Act " means the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990);  
 
"total meat content " means lean meat percent (including mechanically recovered m eat, except where it is 
specifically excluded), plus fat percent;  
 
"total meat equivalent (%) " (TME)  means lean meat equivalent plus any fat or edible oils, edible offal or 
combination thereof, expressed as a percent of product mass as offered for sale;  
 
"use by date" or "expiration date" means the date which signifies the end of the period under any stated 
storage conditions, after which the product should not be sold or consumed due to safety and quality 
reasons;  and 
 
"wild game  species " means the wild  game animal s listed in Schedule 1 of the Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act 
No. 40 of 2000)  that are fit for human consumption ; 
 
 
 
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 Scope of regulations  
 
2. (1) These regulations shall apply only to the classes of  raw processed meat  products set out in 
regulation 4 and intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa to which and under circumstances in which 
a prohibition in terms of section 3 of the Act regarding the sale of raw processed  meat products  apply . 
  
 (2) These regulations shall not apply to the followi ng foodstuffs : 
 
(a) Canned meat products as defined in the compulsory specification for the 
manufacture, production, processing and treatment of canned meat products 
published under the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act, 2008 (Act 
No. 5 of 2 008).  
 
(b) Processed meat products  as defined in the regulations regarding the classification , 
packing and marking of processed meat products intended for sale in the Republic of 
South Africa published under the Act . 
 
(c) Meat a nalogue products or non -meat based p roducts that in general appearance, 
presentation and intended use correspond to  raw processed meat products (e.g. 
vegan or vegetarian type processed products).   
 
Restrict ions on the sale of  raw processed meat products  
 
3. (1) No person shall sell  raw processed meat products  regulated in terms of these regulations  in 
the Republic of South Africa – 
   
(a) unless such products are classified according to the classes specified  in regulation 
4; 
 
(b) unless such products comply with the specific compositional standards  for the class 
concerned as specified in regulation  5;  
 
(c) unless the containers and outer containers in which such products are packed, 
comply with the requirements  specified in regulation 6; 
 
(d) unless such products are marked with the particulars and in the m anner specified i n 
regulation s 7 to 12; and  
 
(e) if such products are marked with any restricted particulars or in a manner which is 
prohibited in terms of regulation 13 . 
 
 (2) The Executive Officer may grant written  exemption, entirely or partially, to any pe rson on 
such conditions as he or she deems necessary, from the provisions of sub -regulation (1).  
 
(3) The restrictions set out in sub -regulation (1) shall not apply to  customary names used on 
other foodstuff s that also form  part of  the appropriate product name  for the classes of a raw processed meat 
product s regulated in terms of these regulations (e.g. ‘sausage  roll’, ‘mince  pie’, etc.) .   
 
Classes of  raw processed meat products  
 
4. Raw p rocessed meat products shall be classified as  follows:  
   
(a)    Raw minc ed meat . 
 
(b) Raw mixed -species minced meat.  
 
(c)    Raw flavoured ground meat or Raw flavoured minced mix or Raw flavoured meat mix .  
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 (d) Raw flavoured ground meat and offal or Raw flavoured minced and offal mix  or Raw 
flavoured meat and offal mix.  
 
(e) Raw flavoured mi xed-species ground meat or Raw flavoured mixed -species minced 
mix or Raw flavoured mixed -species meat mix .  
 
(f) Raw flavoured mixed -species ground meat and offal or Raw flavoured mixed -species 
minced and offal mix  or Raw flavoured meat and offal mix .  
 
(g)    Raw boerewors . 
 
(h) Raw species sausage  or Raw species wors . 
 
(i) Raw mixed -species sausage  or Raw mixed -species wors . 
 
(j) Raw burger,  Raw patt y and Raw hamburger patty .   
 
(k) Raw b anger  or Raw griller . 
 
(l) Raw braaiwors  or Raw si zzler .  
 
(m) Geographical Indication (GI) raw proc essed meat products.  
 
 
Specific compositional standards for the  classes of raw processed  meat products  
 
5. (1) Raw minced meat  – 
 
(a) shall consist of  finely chopped or comminuted  meat  from a single domesticated 
animal, bird or wild game species ; 
 
(b) shall comply  with the following percent  fat content  for the fat content claim concerned:    
 
Fat content  claim  
 Fat content  (%) 
(as analysed)  
Extra lean, E xtra trim , Extra Trimmed of 
fat, or any similar wording  ≤5 
Lean, Trim or T rimmed of fat, or Steak 
Mince or any s imilar wording  >5 to ≤10  
Regular , Topside Mince or any similar 
wording  >10 to ≤30; and  
  
(c) shall contain no added colourants, food  additives, foodstuffs, water , edible offal or 
inedible  offal. 
 
(2) Raw mixed -species minced meat – 
  
(a) shall consist of  a mixtu re of finely chopped or comminuted  meat  from two or more 
domesticated animal , bird and/or wild game  species ;   
 
(b) shall comply with the following percent  fat content for the fat content claim  concerned:  
 
 
Fat content claim  
 Fat content  (%) 
(as analysed)  
Extra lean, E xtra trim , Extra Trimmed of 
fat, or any similar wording  ≤5 
Lean, Trim or T rimmed of fat , or Steak 
Mince  or any similar wording  >5 to ≤10  WTO  DRAFT  
 
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 Fat content claim  
 Fat content  (%) 
(as analysed)  
Regular , or Topside Mince  or any similar 
wording  >10 to ≤30; and  
  
(c) shall contain no added colourants,  food additives, foodstuffs, water , edible offal or 
inedible offal. 
 
(3) Raw flavoured  ground  meat  or Raw flavoured minced mix or Raw flavoured meat mix  – 
 
(a) shall  consist of  a mixture of finely chopped or comminuted meat from a single 
domesticated animal, bird or wild game species and spices and/or other foodstuffs ; 
 
(b) shall ha ve a minimum total meat content of 75 percent;  
 
(c) shall have a fat content (as analysed) of no more than 30 percent ;  
 
(d) shall contain no edible offal;  
 
(e) shall contain no mechanically recovered meat;   
 
(f) may contain colourants and /or food additives ; and 
 
(g) may cont ain added water .  
 
(4) Raw flavoured ground meat and offal or Raw flavoured minced meat and offal mix – 
 
(a) shall  consist of a mixture of finely chopped or comminuted meat  and edible offal from 
a single domesticated animal, bird or wild game species and spi ces and/or other 
foodstuffs;  
 
(b) shall have a minimum total meat content of 55 percent;  
 
(c) shall have a fat content (as analysed) of no more than 30 percent ;  
 
(d) shall contain no mechanically recovered meat; and 
 
(e) may contain c olourants and/or food additives; and  
 
(f) may contain added water .  
 
(5) Raw flavoured mixed -species ground meat or Raw flavoured mixed -species minced mix or 
Raw flavoured mixed -species meat mix  – 
  
(a) shall consist of a mixture of finely chopped or comminuted meat from two or more 
domesticated anim al, bird and/or wild game species  and spices and/or other 
foodstuffs;   
 
(b) shall have a minimum total meat content of 75 percent;  
 
(c) shall have  a fat content (as analysed) of no more than  30 percent ; 
 
(d) shall contain no edible offal ; 
 
(e) shall contain no mechanicall y recovered meat;  
 
(f) may contain  colourants and /or food additives ; and 
 
(g) may contain added water .  WTO  DRAFT  
 
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(6) Raw flavoured mixed -species ground meat and offal or Raw flavoured mixed -species 
minced meat and offal mix – 
 
(a) shall consist of a mixture of finely chopped or comminuted meat and offal from two or 
more domesticated animal, bird and/or wild game species and spices and/or other 
foodstuffs;  
 
(b) shall have a minimum total meat content of 55 percent;  
 
(c) shall have a fat content (as analysed) of no more than 30 percent ; 
 
(d) shall contain no mechanically recovered meat; and 
 
(e) may contain colourants and/or food additive; and 
 
(f) may contain added water .  
 
 (7) Raw boerewors  – 
 
(a) shall be manufactured from the meat of a  domesticated animal of the bovine, ovine, 
porcine or caprine s pecies , or from a mixture of two or more thereof ; 
  
(b) shall be contained in an edible casing;  
 
(c) shall have a minimum total meat content of 90 percent ;  
 
(d) shall have a fat content (as analysed) of no more than 30 percent ; 
 
(e) shall contain no edible or inedible o ffal, except where such offal is to be used solely as 
the casing of the raw boerewors;  
 
(f) shall contain no mechanically recovered meat;  
 
(g) shall contain no  colourants;  and 
 
(h) shall contain no added  ingredients other than –  
 
(i) cereal or starch;  
 
(ii) vinegar, spice s, herbs and/or  salt;  
 
(iii) food additive s; and  
 
(iv) water . 
  
(8) Raw species sausage  or Raw species wors  – 
 
(a) shall be manufactured  totally or predominantly  from the meat of a specific  
domesticated animal, bird or wild game species ; 
    
(b) shall be contained in an edibl e casing;  
 
(c) shall have  a minimum  total meat content of 75 percent : Provided that in the case of 
raw species sausage manufactured predominantly from the meat of a specific 
domesticated animal , bird or wild game species  -   
 
(i) a minimum of 75 percent  thereof shall consist of the meat  of the predominant 
species, which shall be mentioned in the  product name  referred to in 
regulation 7(1) (a); and   WTO  DRAFT  
 
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(ii) a maximum of 25 percent  thereof may consist of the meat  of any one or more 
domesticated animal , bird or wild game species other than the predominant 
species referred to in subparagraph  (i); 
 
(d) shall have a fat content (as analysed) of no more than 30 percent ; 
 
(e) shall contain no edible or inedible offal , except where such offal is to be used solely as 
the casing of the raw s pecies sausage;  
 
(f) shall contain no mechanically recovered meat ; 
 
(g) shall contai n no colourants;  and 
 
(h) shall contain no added ingredients other than  – 
 
(i) cereal or starch;  
 
(ii) vinegar, spices, herbs and/or  salt; 
 
(iii) food additives ; and  
  
(iv) water ; and  
 
(i) may contain other  foodstuffs.  
 
 (9) Raw mixed -species sausage  or Raw mixed -species wors  – 
 
(a) shall be manufactured from any mixture of the meat of two or more domesticated 
animal, bird and/or wild game species ; 
 
(b) shall be contained in an edible casing;  
 
(c) shall have a minimum total meat content of 75 percent ; 
 
(d) shall have a fat content (as analysed) of no  more than 30 percent ; 
  
(e) shall contain no edible or inedible offal , except where such offal is to be used solely as 
the casing of the raw mixed -species sausage;  
 
(f) shall contain no  mechanically recovered meat;  
 
(g) shall contain no colourants;  and 
 
(h) shall contain no added ingredients other than –  
 
(i) cereal or starch;  
 
(ii) vinegar, spices, herbs and/or  salt;  
 
(iii) food additives ;  
 
(iv) water ; and  
 
(i) may contain other foodstuffs.  
 
(10) Raw burger , raw p atty and r aw hamburger patty  – 
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 (a) shall be  manufactured from chopped or comminute d meat of a domesticated animal , 
bird or wild game  specie s, or from a mixture of two or more thereof , and formed into a 
round, square or any other shape d patt y; and 
 
(b) shall compl y with the  following compositional specification s for the  category /name  
concerned:  
 
Category / 
Name  Permissible ingredients  Fat content 
claim  Fat content  
(%)  
(as analysed)  Total 
meat 
content  
(%) 
1 2 3 4 5 
1. Ground 
Burger / 
Ground 
Patty   (a) Shall be manufacture d 
from meat only.  
(b) Shall contain no edible or 
inedible offal , or any other 
added ingredients . 
 Extra Lean , Extra 
Trim,  Extra 
trimmed of fat or 
any similar 
wording  
 
Lean , Trim,  
Trimmed of fat or 
any similar 
wording  
 
Regular  ≤5 
 
 
 
 
 
>5 to ≤10  
 
 
 
 
>10 to ≤30  ≥99.6  
2. Burger / 
Patty / 
Hamburger  
Patty / 
Meatball / 
Frikkad el 
 (a) Shall contain no added 
ingredients other than –  
(i) cereal or starch;  
(ii) vinegar, spices, 
herbs and/or  salt;  
(iii) food additives ; and 
     (iv)  water . 
(b) Shall contain no edible or 
inedible offal . 
(c) Shall contain no 
mechanically recovered 
meat.  
(d) Shall contain no 
colourant s. 
(e) May contain  other 
foodstuffs . 
 Extra Lean , Extra 
Trim,  Extra 
trimmed of fat or 
any similar 
wording  
 
Lean, Trimmed of 
fat or any similar 
wording  
 
Regular  ≤5 
 
 
 
 
 
>5 to ≤10 
 
 
 
>10 to ≤30 ≥70 
3. Value 
burger / 
Value patty / 
Value 
hamburger / 
Value 
meatball/ 
Value 
frikkadel  
Any other 
similar  
name    (a) Shall contain no added 
ingredients other than –  
(i) cereal or starch or  
vegetable protein;  
(ii)   vinegar, spices, 
herbs and/or salt ; 
(iii)   food additives; and  
(iv)   water .  
(b) Shall have a minimum 
total meat equivalent of 
60 percent . 
(c) Shall contain no inedible 
offal.  
(d) May contain –  
(i)    mechanical ly 
recovered meat;  
(ii)   edible offal;  
(iii)  colourants; and  
(iv)  other foodstuffs . 
 * ≤30 ≥55 WTO  DRAFT  
 
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 Category / 
Name  Permissible ingredients  Fat content 
claim  Fat content  
(%)  
(as analysed)  Total 
meat 
content  
(%) 
1 2 3 4 5 
4. Economy 
Burger / 
Econo 
Burger / 
Economy 
Patty/ 
Econo 
Patty/  
Budget 
Burger /  
Econo 
Hamburger
patty / 
Budget 
Hamburger 
patty/  
Econo 
meatball/ 
Econo 
frikkadel/  
Any other 
similar 
name  (a) Shall contain no added 
ingredients other than  –  
(i) cereal or starch or 
vegetable protein;  
(ii) vinegar, spices , 
herbs and/or  salt; 
(iii) food additives; and 
(iv)  water . 
(b)  Shall have a minimum  
total me at equivalent of 
55 percent . 
(c) Shall contain no inedible 
offal.  
(d) May contain –  
(i)    mechanical ly 
recovered meat ; 
(ii)   edible offal;   
     (iii)  colourants; and  
     (iv)  other foodstuffs . * ≤30 ≥35 
* No specification  
 
(c) If the category of product  referred to as B urger or Patty or Hamburger Patty  in the 
Table in paragraph (b) above is manufactured predominantly from the meat of a 
specific domesticated animal, bird or wild game specie s, it shall  have a minimum total 
meat content of 70 percent , of which –  
 
(i) a minimum of 75 percent  thereof shall consist of the meat  of the predominant 
species, which shall be mentioned in the product name  referred to in 
regulation 7(1)(a); and  
 
(ii) a maximum of 25 perce nt thereof may consist of the meat  of any one or more 
animal , bird or wild game species other than the predominant species referred 
to in subparagraph (i) . 
 
 (11) Raw banger  or raw griller -- 
 
(a) shall be manufactured from single or any mixture of the meat of  two or more 
domesticated animal, bird or wild game species;  
 
(b) shall be contained in an edible casing;  
 
(c) shall have a minimum total meat equivalent of 60 percent;  
 
(d) shall have a minimum total meat content of 40 percent : Provided that if manufactured 
from a single domesticated animal , bird or wild game species  –    
 
(i) a minimum of 75 percent  thereof shall consist of the meat  of the predominant 
species, which shall be mentioned in the product name  referred to in 
regulation 7 (1)(a); and  
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 (ii) a maximum of 25 percent  thereof may consist of the meat  of any one or more 
domesticated animal , bird or wild game species other than the predominant 
species referred to in subparagraph (i);  
 
(e) shall have a fat content (as analysed) of no more than 30 percent ; 
  
(f) shall contain no edibl e or inedible offal , except where such the offal is to be used 
solely as the  casing of the raw banger  sausage;  
 
(g) shall contain no mechanically  recovered meat ; 
 
(h) shall contain no added ingredients other than – 
 
(i) cereal or starch  and/or vegetable protein ;  
 
(ii)  vinegar, spices, herbs and/or  salt;  
 
(iii) food additives;  and 
 
(iv) water;  
 
(i) may contain colourant s; and 
 
(j) may contain other foodstuffs.  
 
(12) Raw braaiwors  or Raw sizzler   
 
(a) shall be manufactured either from the meat of a  single  domesticated animal, bird or 
wild game species , or from a mixture of two or more of such species ;  
 
(b) shall be contained in an edible casing;  
 
(c) shall have a minimum total meat equivalent of 60 percent;  
  
(d) shall have a minimum total meat content of 40 percent ; 
 
(e) shall have a fat content (as analysed) of no more than 30 percent ; 
 
(f) shall contain no inedible offal; 
 
(g) shall contain no added ingredients other than – 
 
(i) cereal or starch and/or vegetable protein;  
 
(ii)  vinegar, spices, herbs and/or  salt; 
 
(iii)  food additives; and  
 
(v) water;  
 
(h) may c ontain mechanically recovered meat;  
   
(i) may contain  edible offal ; 
 
(j) may contain colourants ; and 
 
(k) may contain  other foodstuffs .  
 
(13) Geographical Indication (GI)  raw processed meat products shall consist of – 
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14 
 (a) the imported raw processed meat products listed in Annexure A  which enjoy 
protection under the EU SADC EPA  and which comply with the compositional 
standards registered for the GI named raw processed meat product concerned in the 
country of origin within European Union;  
 
(b) any imported GI named raw proc essed meat products other than those enjoying 
protection under the EU SADC EPA which originate from a World Trade 
Organisation (WTO) member country and which comply with the compositional 
standards registered for the GI named raw processed meat product con cerned in the 
country of origin; and  
 
(c) any locally manufactured raw processed meat products enjoying protection as 
registered GIs in the Republic of South Africa  which comply with the compositional 
standards registered for the named raw processed meat prod uct concerned . 
 
Requirements for containers  and outer containers  
 
6. (1) A container in which raw processed  meat  products  are packed shall -- 
 
(a) be made from a material that -- 
 
(i) is suitable for this purpose;  
 
(ii) will protect the contents thereof fr om contamination; and  
 
(iii) will not impart any undesirable flavour to the contents thereof;  
 
(b) be so strong that it will not be damaged or deformed during normal storage, 
handling and transport practices;  
 
(c) be intact ; and  
 
(d) be closed properly in a manner permitted by  the nature  thereof.  
 
(2) If containers containing  raw processed meat  products  are packed in outer containers, such 
outer containers shall – 
 
(a) be intact, clean, n eat, suitable and strong enough; and  
 
(b) not impart any undesirable taste or flavour to the contents thereof.  
 
Marking of containers and outer containers  
 
7. (1) Each container  and outer container  containing  raw processed meat products shall be clearly 
and legibly marked directly on the container or on the label attached thereto and at least in English  with the 
following particulars :  
 
(a) The appropriate product name , as specified in regulation 8, prominently on at 
least one  main panel  in letters of the same type, colour and font, and on a 
contrasting background in a letter size of at least 3 mm in height.  
 
(b) The additions to the appropriate product name  where applicable,  as specified in 
regulation  9, prominently on the main panel in letters of the same type, colour and 
font, and on a contrasting background in a letter size of at least 3 mm in height for 
lower case vowels: Provided that the difference in letter size between the smallest 
letter in the appropriate product name  indication and smallest letter in the additions 
to the product name  indication shall not exceed 2 mm. 
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 (c) The name and address of the manufacturer, packer, importer, seller or person or 
entity on whose behalf the product has been packed in a letter size of at least 1 mm 
in height . 
 
(d) The date marking (i.e. "best before" or "best quality before" or "use by" or 
"expiration " date) or batch code or batch number , for the purpose of traceability 
and batch identification  as specified in regulation  10. 
 
(e) The country of origin , as specified in regulation  11 in a letter size of at least 1 mm 
in height : Provided that in the case where  raw processed meat products originating 
from two or more countries are packed in an outer container, all the countries of 
origin shall be declared on such outer container . 
 
 (2) Notwithstanding  the provision s in sub-regulation (1) , raw processed meat product s labelled 
with a scale label only shall be marked at least with the following particulars:  
 
(a) The information referred to in su b-regulation (1) (a), (b), (d) and ( e) in a letter size of 
at least 1 mm in height . 
 
(b) The name and telephone number of the  manufact urer, packer, importer, seller or 
person or entity on whose behalf the product has been packed in a letter size of at 
least 1 mm in height.  
 
Indicating the appropriate  product name  
 
8. (1)   The product name  shall at least consist of  the appropriate  name  for the class concerned : 
Provided that in the case where meat from – 
    
(a) a single species only is used, the name of the species shall form part of the product 
name in dicated in letters of the same size; or  
  
(b) two or more species are used , the wording “mixed -species” in the product name 
shall be substituted by the names of the species u sed in descending order of mass: 
Provided further that the collective name “game” , or “venison” where app licable , may 
substitute the word “species” in the product name if –  
 
(i) the raw processed meat product concerned has been manufactured from 
two or more wild game species  only; and  
 
(ii) the names of the wild game species used are declared on the main panel in 
descending order of mass in  letters at least 1mm in height ; or  
 
(c) a single s pecies is used together with edible offal, the name of the species and 
source of the edible offal (e.g. heart, liver etc.) or collective name “offal” shall form 
part of the product name indicated in the letters of the same size: Provided in the 
case of two  or more species used together with edible offal, the wording “mixed -
species” in the product name shall be substituted by the names of the species used 
in descending order of mass.   
 
(2) The word “raw” may be omitted from the appropriate product name for all the classes of raw 
processed meat products.  
 
(3) In the case of the classes refe rred to in regulation 4(a) to (f ), the word “minced” may be 
substituted by the word “mince”.  
 
 (4) No word or expression may be bigger than the product name  unless it is – 
 
(a) a registered trade mark or brand name;  
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16 
 (b) a word or wording used to communicate to the consumer that a particular raw 
processed meat product is new, has been produced according to a new recipe 
and/or is on promotion for a limited period (i.e. a maximum of 12 months) [examples 
include:  ‘new’, ‘try me I’m new’, ‘new recipe’, ‘on promotion’, ‘on sale’, etc. ];  
 
(c) the nett mass indication as prescribed by the Legal Metrolog y Act, 2014 (Act No. 9 of 
2014); and  
 
(d) a GI name  (e.g. “Protected Designation of Origin”, “P rotected Geographical 
Indication”, etc.) and/or its corresponding acronym (e.g. “PDO”, “PGI”, etc.) used to 
indicate that the raw processed meat product concerned is a registered and 
protected GI in the country of origin concerned.  
 
(5) In the case of raw processed meat products enjoying protection as GIs the product name 
shall, subject to the  provisions of sub -regulation ( 4) be as follows:  
 
(a) The registered GI name listed in Annexure A for the particular  raw processed meat 
product concerned in the case o f raw processed meat products enjoying protection 
under the EU SADC EPA . 
 
(b) The GI name registered for the raw processed meat product concerned  in the 
country of origin in the case of imported raw processed meat products originating 
from a World Trade Or ganisation (WTO) member country, excluding those countries 
that are members of the European Union.  
 
(c) The GI name registered for the  raw processed meat product concerned  in the 
Republic of South Africa in the case of locally manufactured products.   
  
Additions to the appropriate product name  
 
9.  (1) If a flavouring has been added to a  raw processed meat product  in order to render a 
distinctive flavour thereto, the  appropriate  product name  shall either be preceded by the expression “X 
Flavoured” or follow ed by the expression “with X Flavour” or “with X Flavouring”, where “X” indicates the 
name(s) of the flavouring(s) used , unless the flavourant  concerned has been added with the intention to 
enhance the flavour of a specific meat ingredient or other added f oodstuff concerned.  
 
 (2) If a foodstuff  has been added to a raw processed meat product  in order to render a 
distinctive taste thereto, the appropriate  product name  shall be followed  or preceded  by the expression “with 
X” or wording having a similar meani ng, where “X” indicates the generic name(s) of the foodstuff(s) added 
(e.g. “ Mutton sausage  with chilli” or “Chilli Mutton sausage ”, etc.): Provided that the requirements on 
Quantitative Ingredient Declarations (QUID), as specified in the regulations publi shed under the Foodstuffs, 
Cosmetics and Disinfects Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972), shall be complied with.  
 
 (3) The fat content claims prescribed in the case of the classes raw minced meat and raw 
mixed -species minced meat, as well as the categories of  raw burger , raw patty  and raw hamburger patty 
may form part of the appropriate product name and/or be indicated on its own on the main panel: Provided 
that the fat content claim “regular” may be omitted.  
 
 (4) Words communicating the intended use or purpose  of the raw processed meat product 
concerned may  optionally  be indicated,  and may  either form part of the product name , or may be indicated 
on its own on the container (or both), e.g. breakfast sausage , etc. 
 
Batch identification  
 
10. (1) For the purpose o f traceability and batch identification each container containing a raw 
processed meat product shall be clearly marked with the batch code or batch number or date marking in 
such a way that the specific batch is easily identifiable and traceable: Provided that in the case of raw 
processed meat products presented for sale in a deli display fridge or counter as  sliced, cut or whole, the 
“use by” date shall at least appear on each container.  
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17 
 (2) (a) If a date marking appears on a container – 
 
(i) it shall b e preceded by appropriate wording “best before”  or “best quality 
before date”  and/or “use by”, depending on the nature of the raw processed 
meat product concerned;  
 
(ii) abbreviations of the preceding wording shall not be allowed, except in the 
case of “b est before” where the abbreviation “BB” may be used;  
 
(iii) the date sequence shall be “day -month -year” (i.e. “dd/mm/yyyy”) when 
numbers only are used: Provided that in the case of imported products 
where an altered date sequence is used, the month shall b e indicated in 
letters, either written out in full or abbreviated, and the year shall be written 
out in full; and  
 
(iv)     it shall not be removed or altered by any person.  
 
(b) If raw processed meat products are packed in an outer container which will d uring 
normal usage be discarded by the consumer, the date marking shall, if indicated, 
appear on each individual container that will be retained by the consumer until 
consumption.  
 
Country of origin  
 
11. (1) The country of origin shall be declared as foll ows on every container:  
 
(a) "Product of (name of country)" if all the main ingredients, processing and labour 
used to make the product are from one specific country;  
 
(b) "Produced in (name of country)", "Processed in (name of country)", "Manufactured 
in (name of  country)", "Made in (name of country)", or wording having a similar 
meaning, when the product is processed in a second country which changes its 
nature; or  
 
(c) In the case where single ingredient agricultural commodities are imported in bulk 
and where owing to climatic, seasonal or other contingencies more than one country 
may be the source of the single ingredient agricultural commodity, the wording 
‘Product of (name(s) of country(ies))’ separated by the expression ‘and/or’, shall be 
declared on the label of  the final pre -packed foodstuff: Provided that the final end 
product remains a single ingredient agricultural commodity.  
 
(2) The words "Packed in (name of country)" may be used in addition to the requirements of 
sub-regulation (1)(a) or (b).  
 
Raw Processe d Meat Products Presented for Sale in a Display Fridge  
 
12. When sliced, cut or whole raw processed meat products are displayed for sale in for example a deli 
display fridge or counter, the appropriate product name shall be indicated conspicuously in the immediate 
vicinity of each class of raw processed meat product concerned.  
  
Restricted particulars on containers and outer containers  
 
13. (1) (a) Only the  appropriate  product name  of the specific  raw processed meat product  
concerned  shall be marked on su ch a container  or outer container :  Provided that  
product  name  of other classes of raw processed meat products from the same 
manufacturer indicated for the sole purpose of promotion and/or comparative claims 
shall be allowed on the side panel or back panel  of a container and shall be 
accompanied by wording such as but not limited to “also try these products in our 
range”, etc.  
 WTO  DRAFT  
 
18 
   (b) No word or expression which so nearly resembles the  product name  of a raw 
processed meat product that it could be misleading  with regard to the composition 
shall be marked on the container or outer container.  
 
(2) No registered trade mark  or brand name which may possibly, directly or by implication, be 
misleading or create a false impression of the contents of a container or ou ter container containing  a raw 
processed meat  product  shall appear on such a container or outer container.  
 
(3) No word, mark, illustration, depiction or other method  of expression that constitutes a 
misrepresentation or directly or by implication creates  or may create a misleading impression regarding the 
quality, nature, class, origin or composition of a raw processed meat product shall be marked on a container 
or outer container thereof . 
 
(4) No claim regarding the absence of any substance that does not  normally occur in a 
particular class of raw processed meat product s shall be marked on the container or outer container thereof 
except in cases where it is allowed for in the regulations published under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and 
Disinfectants Act, 197 2 (Act No. 54 of 1972).  
 
  (5) The words ‘natural’, ‘nature’s’, ‘pure’, ‘traditional’, ‘original’,  ‘authentic’, ‘real’, ‘genuine’, 
‘home made ’, ‘selected’, ‘premium’, ‘finest’, ‘quality’ or ‘best, or any other words, statements, phrases, logos 
or expressi ons having a similar meaning, whether directly or by implication, shall not appear on a container 
or outer container containing  raw processed meat products, unless the criteria for the use of such terms, as 
set out in the guidance notes compiled by the Uni ted Kingdom’s Food Standards A gency, have been 
complied with.  
 
 (6) No claim which compares the total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sugar, sodium or salt, or 
energy value of two or more similar  raw processed meat  products by using words such as "reduced ", "less 
than", "fewer", "light" and "lite", or words having a similar meaning, shall be made on the container or outer 
container thereof, unless the following conditions are complied with:  
 
(a) The raw processed meat  product shall be compared with a diffe rent version of the 
same or similar product.  
 
(b) The raw processed meat  product being compared shall be clearly marked on the 
container with the following information:  
 
(i) A statement of the amount of difference in the energy value or relevant 
nutrient content,  expressed as a percent.  
 
(ii) The identity of the  raw processed meat  product to which it is being 
compared in close proximity to or as part of the comparative claim.  
 
(c) The comparison shall be based on a relative difference of at least 25% in the  energy 
value or nutrient content of an equivalent mass or volume.  
 
(d) The raw processed meat  product shall be marked with the prescribed nutritional 
information declaration required in terms of the regulations published under the 
Foodstuffs, Cosmetics an d Disinfect ants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972).  
  
(7) The provisions of this regulation shall  also apply to  – 
 
(a) particulars that are marked on a notice board displayed at or in the immediate 
vicinity of  the raw processed meat  products that are kept or displ ayed for sale; and  
 
(b) all advertisements for raw processed meat  products . 
 
 
 
 WTO  DRAFT  
 
19 
 Obtaining a Primary Sampl e 
  
14.        (1)        (a) Samples drawn for the purpose of analysis shall, depending of the capacity of the 
container,  consist of the corresponding nu mber of containers set out in column 2 of 
Table 1 below:  
     TABLE 1 
 
MINIMUM SIZE OF A PRIMARY SAMPLE  
 
Capacity of the container  Minimum size of primary sample  
 
(i)  ≤ 250 g  
  (i)  T he minimum number of containers that 
will result in a combined total mass of 
at least 250  g; or 
 
(ii) > 250 g ≤ 2 kg  
 (ii)  The minimum number of containers that 
will result in a combined total mass of 
at least 1 kg ; or 
 
(iii) > 2 kg  (iii)  One container.  
 
  (b) The number of containers so obtained shall constitute a primary sample.  
 
(c) Each container in the primary sample shall be placed in a plastic bag (or any other 
suitable outer container) that has been properly closed and sealed to ensure the 
product is tamper -proof.  
 
(d)  Each sample shall be clearly and adequately labelled to ensure traceability and 
correct identification.  
 
(e)      An inspector may increase the number of containers that constitute a primary sample 
to also provi de additional samples to perform e.g. counter analysis by a different 
(second) laboratory, etc.   
 
Method s of analysis  
 
15. (1) The test samples shall be prepared in accordance with the latest version of the Association 
of Analytical Communities ’ (AOAC) me thods on the pre paration of test samples  for meat and meat products, 
i.e. AOAC 983.18, or any other international  recognised  alternative method.  
 
 (2)     The determination of the c omposition of  the raw processed meat products shall be done in 
accordance with the methods set out in Table 2 below, or any other international  recognised alternative 
methods providing equivalent results: Provided that at all times the most recently published version of the 
listed methods or th eir alternatives shall be used:  
TABLE 2 
 
RECOMMENDED METHOD S OF ANALYSIS  
 
Parameter  
 Test Method  Principle  Type  
Meat  content  AOAC 92 8.08 
 
 
ISO 937:1978  
(Protein [conversion factor 
6.25])  Nitrogen determination, 
calculation  
 
Titrimetry, Kjeldahl 
digestion  I 
 
 
II 
 
 
Fat content  ISO 1443 -1973  
(Codex general method for Gravimetry  (Extraction)  
 I 
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20 
 Parameter  
 Test Method  Principle  Type  
processed meat  and poultry 
product s) 
 
AOAC 960.39    
 
 
Soxhlet Ether Extraction   
 
 
- 
Moisture content  
 ISO 1442:1997  
 
AOAC 985.14  Moisture determination  
 
Moisture in Meat and Meat 
Product  - 
 
- 
Soya P rotein content  AOAC 988.1 0 Protein/Soy Protein,  
Enzyme -Linked 
Immunosorbent Assay  - 
Starch content  ISO 13965 -1998  Determination of Starch 
and Glucose content – 
Enzymatic Method  - 
Calcium content ,  
Determination of 
calcium content  for 
mechanically r ecov ered 
meat (MRM) only  
 PEARSON – Pearson’s 
Chemical Analysis of Foods 
(8th edition), 1981 H. Egan, 
R.S. Kirk and R.  
Sawyer – Longman 
Scientific.  Pages 27 -28 
 
AOAC 983.19  Determination of calcium by  
atom ic absorption 
spectrophotometry  
 
 
 
 
Determination of c alcium in 
Mechanically Separated 
Poultry and Beef  - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 
 
Offences and penalties  
 
16. Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of these regulations shall be guilty 
of an offence and upon conviction be liable to a fine or to imp risonment in accordance with section 11 of the 
Act. 
 
ANNEXURE A  
 
LIST OF IMPORTED GI RAW PROCESSED MEAT PRODUCTS PROTECTED UNDER THE EU SADC 
EPA 
 
Country  GI (Name)  
France   Canard à foie gras du Sud -Ouest (Chalosse, Gascogne, Gers, Landes, 
Périgord, Quercy)  
 
Germany   Nürnberger Bratwürste/ Nürnberger Rostbratwürste