DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE , LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT  
 
No. R.                dd/mm/yyyy  
 
 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT STANDARDS ACT, 1990  
 (ACT No. 119 OF 1990)  
 
DRAFT REGULATIONS RE LATING TO  COFFEE , CHICORY AND RELATED PRODUCTS INTENDED 
FOR SALE IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA  
 
The Minister of Agriculture , Land Reform and Rural Development has in terms of section 15 of the Agricultural 
Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990) -- 
 
(a) made the regulations in the Schedule;  and 
 
(b) determined that the said regulations shall come into operation 12 months after date of 
publication thereof . 
 
SCHEDULE  
 
Contents  
 Regulation  
Definitions  1 
Restrictions on the sale of coffee , chicory and related products   2 
PART I: CATEGORIES OF AND STANDARDS FOR COFFEE, CHICORY AND 
RELATED PRODUCTS   
Categories of coffee, chicory and related products  3 
Roasted coffee beans  4 
Ground coffee  5 
Instant coffee (s oluble coffee  extract ) 6 
Decaffeinated coffee  and Decaffeinated instant coffee  7 
Coffee essence (liquid coffee extract / concentrate ) 8 
Mixed coffee (c offee mixture ) 9 
Chicory  and chicory extracts  10 
Coffee and chicory mixture  11 
Coffee and chicory essence (liquid coffee and chicory extract / concentrate ) 12 
Instant coffee and chicory extract  13 
Chicory and coffee mixture  14 
Instant chicory and coffee extract  15 
PART II: CONTAINERS  AND OUTER CONTAINERS   
Requirements for containers and o uter containers  16 
PART I II: MARKING REQUIREMENTS   
Marking of containers  and o uter containers  17 
Indication of  the p roduct name  18 
Addition s to the product name  19 
Additional particulars on the main panel  20 
Additional particulars on the container  21 
Indication of the c ountry of  origin  22 
Indication of  the date marking or batch code or batch number  23 
Restrict ed particulars  24 
PART IV: SAMPLING AND INSPECTION   
Sampling  25 
Analysis  26 
PART V: OFFENCES AND PENALTIES   
Offences and penalties  27 
 
 
 
 
  
2 
 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 – 
 
"agglomerated " means a process in which the spray dried particles (powder) are fused together to form large 
particles ; 
 
"assignee " means a person, undertaking, body, institution, association or board designated under section 
2(3) of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990);  
 
"batch"  means a definite quantity of coffee, chicory or a related product  produced essentially under the same 
conditions, and 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 qualities for which implied or express claims have been made, however, beyond 
the date the food may still be acceptable for consumption;  
 
"chicory " means  the powder obtained by roasting and grinding the cleaned and dried roots of Cichorium 
intybus L.  usually used for the preparation of beverages ; 
 
"coffee " means the general term used for fruits and seeds of plants of the genus Coffea , usually the cultivated 
species such as for example Coffea Arabica L., Coffea Robusta Chev ., Coffea liberica Hiern , as well 
as products from these fruits and seeds in different stages of processing and use which are intended 
for human consumption ; 
 
"container"  means the immediate packaging  in which coffee , chicory or a related product is presented for 
sale to the consumer , but excludes individual pods/ capsules and filter bags, as well as sealed bags 
(manufactured from aluminum foil or any other suitable material) containing such units that are packed 
inside a container ; 
 
"Executive  Officer " means the officer designated under section 2(1) of the Act;  
 
"food additive " means a permitted substance  as defined in the regulations published under the Foodstuffs, 
Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972  (Act No. 54 of 1972) ; 
 
"foodstuff " means a foodstuff as defined  under  the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 
No. 54 of 1972);  
 
"freeze dried"  means a process in which the product in the liquid state is frozen and the ice removed by 
sublimation, with the dried particles typically having a granular appearance;  
 
"green coffee beans " means the dried seeds of any species of Coffea , separated from non-food tissues of 
the fruit ; 
 
"husk " means the assembled external envelopes (pericarp) of the dried coffee fruit;  
 
"inspector " means an officer under the control of the Executiv e Officer, or an assignee or an employee of an 
assignee;  
 
"main panel " means that part of the container or label that bears the brand name or trade mark 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;  
 
"outer container " means a container in which more than one container of coffee , chicory or a related product  
is packed ; 
 
"premix " means a product that consists of coffe e, chicory or a related product  mixed with , for example sugar 
and/or milk powder and/or creamer , that is intended to be dissolved in hot or cold water to deliver a  
3 
 ready -to-drink  beverage ; 
 
"related products " means the products  intended for consumption as a beverage as  defined in regulation s 6 
to 9 and 11 to 1 5;  
 
"roasting " means the h eat treatment  that produces  fundamental chemical and physical changes in the 
structure and composition of green coffee, bringing about darkening of the beans and the development 
of the characteristic flavour of roasted coffee;  
 
"spray dried"  means a process in which the product in the liquid state is sprayed into a hot atmosphere and 
formed into dried particles in a powder form  by evaporation of the water ;  
 
"sugar" means sugar as defined in the Codex Standard for Sugars (CODEX STAN 212 -1999) ; 
 
"the Act " means the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990); and  
 
"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 du e to safety and quality 
reasons.   
 
Restrictions on the sale of coffee , chicory and related products  
 
2. (1) No person shall  sell coffee , chicory and related products  in the Republic of South Africa unless 
– 
 
(a) it is sold according to the c ategories referred to in regulation 3;  
 
(b) it complies with the standards prescribed for each c ategory referred to in regulation s 
4 to 15; 
 
(c) the containers and outer containers in which it has been packed comply with the 
requirem ents referred to in regulation 16;  
 
(d) it is marked in the manner and with the particulars referred to in regulation s 17 to 23; 
and 
 
(e) it has not been marked with any restricted particulars or in a manner which is 
prohibited in terms of regulation  24. 
 
(2) The Executive Officer may grant written exemption, entirely or partially, to any person on such 
conditions,  as he deems necessary, from the provisions of sub -regulation (1).  
 
(3)  The restrictions in sub -regulation (1) shall not apply to the sale of –  
 
(a) green coffee  beans intended for further processing and /or roasting purposes;   
 
(b) coffee, chicory and related products  that are in the course of a business prepared and 
served on the premises in the ready -to-drink form  to the consumer at , for example a 
restaurant, coffee shop , club, canteen , a fixed or mobile stall,  or any other catering 
establishment ;  
 
(c) products based on coffee, chicory and related products  that are due to their 
composition presented for sale to the consumer under a specific designation  or variant 
name such as, but not limited to “Cappuccino”, “Cafe latte”, “Mocha”, “Macchiato”, etc. 
as --  
 
(i) a ready -to-drink beverage (hot or cold) at , for example a restaurant, coffee 
shop, club, canteen, a fixed or mobile stall, or any other catering establishment ; 
or 
 
(ii) an instant powder at reta il and other commercial outlets; and   
4 
    
(d) premix coffee , chicory and related products . 
 
PART I  
 
CATEGORIES OF AND STANDARDS FOR COFFEE, CHICORY AND RELATED PRODUCTS  
 
Categories of coffee, chicory and related products  
 
3. The categories of coffee, chicory and related products  shall be as follows : 
 
(1) Roasted coffee beans . 
 
(2) Ground coffee.  
 
(3) Instant coffee  (soluble coffee extract ). 
 
(4) Decaffeinated coffee  and Decaffeinated instant coffee . 
 
(5) Coffee essence (liquid coffee extract / concentrate ). 
 
(6) Mixed coffee (c offee mixture ). 
 
(7) Chicory  and chicory extracts . 
 
(8) Coffee and chicory mixture.  
 
(9) Coffee and chicory essence (liquid coffee and chicory extract / concentrate ). 
 
(10) Instant c offee and chicory extract.  
 
(11) Chicory and coffee mixture.  
 
(12) Instant chicory and coffee extract.  
 
Standards for categories of coffee, chicory and related products  
 
Roasted coffee beans  
 
4. (1) Roasted coffee beans means the  whole green coffee beans  of any species of Coffea (e.g. 
Coffea Arabica  L., Coffea  Robusta Chev ., Coffea liberica Hiern , etc.) that have been –  
 
(a) properly cleaned , and that are free from any insect  and fungal  infestation; and   
 
(b) roasted  to the desired intensity  to achieve a certain flavour profile.  
 
(2) The moisture content of the roasted coffee beans shall not exceed 5 .0 percent  (m/m) at the 
time of packing.   
 
Ground coffee  
  
5. Ground coffee  shall – 
 
(a) consist of roasted coffee bean s that have been ground so as to be suitable for making an 
infusion or decoction ;  
 
(b) contain less than 1 percent (m/m) coffee bean husks when present ; 
  
(c) be free from fungal infestation;  
 
(d) contain no chicory , added foodstuffs  or food additives ; and  
5 
  
(e) not have a moisture content of more than 5.0 percent (m/m) at the time of packing.   
 
Instant coffee (s oluble coffee extract)  
 
6. (1) Instant coffee (soluble coffee  extract ) –  
 
(a) shall consist of the dried sol uble solids obtained by spray drying or freeze drying the 
water extraction of fre shly roasted  coffee beans;  
 
(b) shall contain only the soluble and aromatic constituents of coffee, apart from those 
insoluble substances whic h are  not possible to remove and insoluble oils derived from 
coffee;  
 
(c) shall be in the free flowing powder , agglomerated  or granule form; and  
 
(d) may contain food additives.  
 
(2) Recovered volatile coffee aromas may be added to Instant coffee (soluble coffee extract).  
 
Decaffeinated coffee  and Decaffeinated instant coffee  
 
7. (1) Decaffeinated coffee –  
 
(a) shall consist of freshly roasted decaffeinated green  beans  that have been ground to 
deliver a product similar to Ground coffee ;  
 
(b) shall not contain more that 0.1 percent  of anhydrous  caffeine; and 
 
(c) may contain food additives.  
 
(2)  Decaffeinated instant coffee –  
 
(a) shall consist of the dried soluble solids obtained by spray drying or freeze drying the 
water extraction of freshly roasted decaffeinated green  beans to deliver a product 
similar to Instant coffee (soluble coffee extract);  
 
(b) shall not contain more that 0.3 percent  of anhydrous caffeine ; and  
 
(c) may contain food additives.  
 
(3)  The extraction of caffeine from green coffee beans shall be achieved by any suitable means.  
 
Coffee essence (liquid coffee extract / concentrate ) 
 
8. Coffee essence shall –  
 
(a) consist of  the concentrated essence or liquid extract  obtained from Ground coffee , with or 
without the addition of glycerol and/ or sugar ; and 
 
(b) not contain any added foodstuffs or food additives other than those  mentioned in paragraph 
(a). 
 
Mixed coffee (coffee mixture ) 
 
9. Mixed coffee  shall consist of a mix ture of Ground coffee  and c hicory only : Provide that Ground coffee 
shall constitute at least 75 percent (m/m)  of the mixture . 
 
Chicory  and chicory extracts  
 
10. (1) Chicory means the product as defined in regulation 1.  
6 
  
(2) Chicory extract s shall consist of the concentrated product obtained from water extraction 
of roasted chicory, but excludes any process of hydrolysis involving the addition of an acid or a base.  
 
 (3) Instant chicory (soluble chicory extract ) shall –  
 
(a) consist of the dried soluble solids obtained by spray drying or freeze drying the water 
extraction of roasted chicory;  
 
(b) be in the powder, agglomerated, granule or other solid form ; and  
 
(c) have a chicory -based dry matter content of at least 95 percent (m/ m). 
 
(4) Chicory extract paste shall – 
 
(a) consist of chicory extract in the paste form; and  
 
(b) have a chicory -based dry matter content of at least 70 percent (m/m) but not more 
than 85 percent (m/m).  
 
(5) Liquid chicory extract shall – 
 
(a) consist of chicory extract in the liquid form; and  
 
(b) have a chicory -based dry matter content of at least 25 percent (m/m) but not more 
than 55 percent (m/m).  
 
Coffee and chicory mixture  
 
11. Coffee and chicory mixture –  
 
(a) shall consist of a mixture of Ground coffee and chicory : Provided that Ground coffee shall 
constitute at least 50 percent (m/m) of the mixture ; and  
 
(b) may contain added sugar  and/or food additives.  
 
Coffee and chicory essence (liquid coffee and chicory extract / concentrate ) 
 
12. Coffee and chicory essence shall consist of the concentrated essence or liquid extract  obtained from 
the Coffee and chicory mixture referred to in regulation 11, with or without the addition of glycerol  and/ or sugar . 
 
Instant coffee and chicory extract  
 
13. Instant coffee  and chicory extract –  
 
(a) shall consist of the dried soluble  solids  obtained by spray drying or freeze drying the water 
extraction of a mixture of Ground c offee and c hicory : Provided that Ground c offee shall 
constitute at least 50 percent (m/m) of the mixture ;  
 
(b) shall be in the powder , agglomerated  or granule form; and  
 
(c) may contain added sugar  and/or food additives . 
 
Chicory and coffee mixture  
 
14. Chicory  and coffee mixture –  
 
(a) shall consist of a mixture of chicory and Ground coffee : Provided that chicory shall constitute 
at least 50 percent (m/m) of the mixture ; and  
 
(b) may contain added sugar  and/or food additives .  
7 
  
Instant chicory and coffee extract  
 
15. Instant chicory and coffee extract –  
 
(a) shall consist of the dried soluble solids obtained by spray drying or freeze drying the water 
extraction of a mixture of chicory and Ground coffee : Provided that chicory shall constitute at 
least 50 percent (m/m) of the mixture;  
(b) shall be in the powder , agglomerated  or granule form; and  
 
(c) may contain added s ugar and/or food additives . 
 
PART  II 
 
CONTAINERS  AND OUTER CONTAINERS  
 
Requirements for containers  and outer containers  
 
16. (1) A container in which coffee , chicory or related products is packed shall -- 
 
(a) be manufactured from a material that -- 
 
(i) is suitable for this purpose;  
 
(ii) will protect the contents thereof from contamination; and  
 
(iii) will not impart any undesirable  taste or 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 clean; and  
 
(d) be closed properly in a manner permitted by the nature thereof.  
 
(2) If containers containing coffee , chicory or related products are packed in outer containers, 
such outer containers shall -- 
 
(a) be intact, clean, neat, suitable and strong enough; and  
 
(b) not impart any undesirable taste or flavour to the contents thereof.  
 
PART III 
 
MARKING REQUIREMENTS  
 
Marking of containers  and outer containers  
 
17. (1) Except where specifically prescribed, all other marking requirements as specified by these 
regulations shall be clearly legible and be indicated at least in English, in a letter or figure size of at least  1 mm 
for lower case vowels.  
 
(2) Each container in which coffee , chicory and related products are  packed  shall be marked with 
the following particulars:  
 
(a) The product name , and if applicable the additions to the product name , in letters 
of the same type, size, colour and font,  prominently  on at least one main panel i n a 
letter size of at least 2 mm in height for lower case vowels , as set out in regulations 
18 and 19 respectively : Provided that the name of the added flavourant (e.g. ‘vanilla 
flavoured’ , etc.) may be indicated in one different colour when used in the additions to  
8 
 the product name . 
 
(b) The additional particulars on the main panel , where applicable , as set out in 
regulation 20. 
 
(c) The additional particulars on the container , where applicable, as set out in 
regulation 21. 
 
(d) The name and address of the manufacturer, packer, importer, seller or person or 
entity on whose behalf the product has been packed.  
 
(e) The country of origin , as set out in regulation 22. 
 
(f) 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  traceability and 
batch identification, as set out in regulation 23. 
 
 (3) The particulars referred to in sub -regulation (2)(a), (d), (e) and ( f) shall be marked on each 
outer container in which more than one container of coffee, chicory or a related product  is packed.  
 
(4) Individual p ods/ capsules or filter bags containing c offee, chicory or a related product  that are 
packe d directly  in a container  shall be exempted from any of the marking requirements prescribed in sub -
regulation (2): Provided that  – 
 
(a) the individual pods/ capsules or filter bags shall not be sold loose; and  
 
(b) the container containing the individual pods / capsules or filter bags shall be marked 
with all the prescribed marking requirements and in the prescribed letter sizes.  
 
(5) When individual pods/ capsules or filter bags containing c offee, chicory or a related product 
are packed in a sealed bag  (manufactured from aluminum  foil or any other suitable material ) inside  a container, 
the sealed bag  shall be exempted from any of the marking requirements prescribed in sub -regulation (2) :  
Provided that – 
 
(a) the sealed bag shall not be sold loose; and  
 
(b) the container containing such sealed bag shall be marked with all the prescribed 
marking requirements and in the prescribed letter sizes.  
 
Indication of  the product  name   
 
18. (1) The product name s for the categories of coffee, chicory and related product s shall be as 
follows:  
 
TABLE 1 
PRODUCT NAME S FOR THE CATEGORIES OF COFFEE, CHICORY  AND RELATED PRODUCTS  
 
Category  Product name  
 
1 2 
(a) Roasted coffee beans  “Roasted coffee beans”  or “Coffee beans”  
(b) Ground coffee  “Ground coffee”/ “Roasted ground coffee”  
(c) Instant coffee (soluble coffee extract ) "Instant coffee" or "Soluble coffee"  
(d) Decaffeinated coffee and 
Decaffeinated instant coffee  “Decaffeinated coffee” / “Decaf coffee”  or 
“Decaffeinated instant coffee” / “Decaf instant coffee ”, 
as the case may be . 
(e) Coffee essence (liquid coffee extract / 
concentrate ) "Coffee essence" or "Liquid coffee extract"  or “Liquid 
coffee concentrate”  
(f) Mixed coffee (coffee mixture)  “Mixed coffee”  or “Coffee mixture”  
(g) Chicory  and chicory extracts  (i)   “Chicory  powder ”;  
(ii)  “Instant c hicory” or “ Soluble c hicory ”;  
9 
 Category  Product name  
 
1 2 
(iii)  “Chicory extract paste” / “Chicory paste” ; or 
(iv)  “Liquid chicory extract” , as the case may be.  
(h) Coffee and chicory mixture  “Coffee and chicory”  or “Coffee and chicory mixture”  
(i) Coffee and chicory essence (liquid 
coffee and chicory extract / 
concentrate ) “Coffee and chicory essence” or “Liquid coffee and 
chicory extract”  or “Liquid coffee and chicory 
concentrate”  
(j) Instant coffee and chicory extract  "Instant coffee and chicory" or "Solu ble coffee and 
chicory"  
(k) Chicory and coffee mixture  “Chicory and coffee” or “Chicory and coffee mixture”  
(l) Instant chicory and coffee extract  "Instant chicory and coffee" or "Soluble chicory and 
coffee”  
 
(2) The word “mix ture” in the product name  may be substituted by the word “mix” or “blend”.  
 
Additions to the p roduct name  
 
19. (1)   When a flavouring has been added to a category of coffee, chicory or related product s in 
order to render a distinctive specific flavour thereto, the product name concerned shall be preceded by the 
descriptive name for the distinctive flavour concerned and the expression “X Flavoured”, or followed by the 
expression “with X Flavour” or “with X Flavouring”, where “X” indicates the name(s) of the flavouring(s) used.  
 
 (2) The following information may be indicated as part of the product name and/or be indicated 
on its own:  
 
(a) The in dication “granules” or “powder ”, as the case may be, to describe the appearance 
of the Instant coffee (soluble coffee extract), Instant coffee  and chicory extract or 
Instant chicory and coffee extract.  
 
(b) The specific species of Coffea  (e.g. Arabica , Robusta , etc.) from which the beans 
originate.  
 
(c) The roast intensity and/ or the particular name used to describe the degree of roast  
applied to the coffee beans  to achieve a certain flavour profile , in the case of Roasted 
coffee beans , Ground coffee , Instant coffee (soluble coffee extract), Decaffeinated 
coffee and Decaffeinated instant coffee  (e.g. medium roast, dark roast,  French roast, 
Brazilian roast, Cinnamon roast, Continental roast, etc. ).  
 
(d) The method used  to obtain Instant coffee (soluble coffee extract) , Instant coffee and 
chicory extract  or Instant chicory and coffee extract , i.e. spray dried or freeze dried . 
 
(e) The claims “1 00%”, “100% pure ” “100% coffee”, “100% pure coffee” , “pure coffee” or 
“pure”,  or any other word or words having a similar meaning,  in the case of Roasted 
coffee beans , Ground coffee , Instant coffee (soluble coffee extract) , Decaffeinated 
coffee and Decaffeinated instant coffee  only: Provided that if a foodstuff and/or a food 
additive has been added to the afore -mentioned categories , these claims shall not be 
marked on the container of such products . 
 
Additional particulars  on the main panel  
 
20.     When coffee, chicory or a related product  is packed in individual pods / capsules or coffee filter bags, 
this shall be communicated on the main panel of each container containing such pods / capsules or coffee filter 
bags  (e.g. “easy to use  pods”, “convenient  filter bags” , etc. ): Provided that – 
 
(a) such wording may also be indicated as part of the product name  only (e.g. “Instant coffee 
pods”, “Ground coffee filter bags” , etc.) ; and  
  
10 
 (b) if the contents of the container is clearly visible and identifiable from the outside , the wording 
communicating that the outer container contains pods / capsules or coffee filter bags may be 
omitted.  
 
Additional particulars on the container  
 
21. (1) In the case of Mixed coffee (coffee mixture), Coffee and chicory mixture as well as Chicory 
and coffee mixture, the proportion (ratio) of the coffee and chicory contained in the mixture shall be declared 
at least in the ingredients list.  
 
(2) When coffee is derived exclusively from one country , location or geographical area, the name 
of that country,  location or geographical area may be indicated on the container  (e.g. Antigua ). 
 
 (3) Sensory description s about the flavour and aroma  of a particular coffee, chicory or a related 
product may be indicated on the container : Provided that it does not form  part of the product name . 
 
 (4) The names or descriptions used to distinguish between the various mixtures or blends of 
coffee may be indicated on the container  (e.g. Mocha Java,  Blue Mountain Blen d, Wiener Mischung, House 
Blend and  Continental Blend) . 
  
(5) The word “Espresso” to describe a specific style of coffee or the intended use may be indicated 
on the container  of Ground coffee or Instant coffee (soluble coffee extract) : Provided that the particles s hall be 
in a fine powder form . 
 
 (6) Every container containing Coffee essence (liqu id coffee extract/ concentrate) or Coffee and 
chicory essence (liquid coffee and chicory extract / concentrate ) shall be labelled with clear direction s for use.  
 
Indication of the c ountry of origin  
 
22. (1) The country of origin shall be declared as follows 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; or  
 
(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 referred 
to in sub-regulation  (1). 
 
(3) The name(s) of the country(ies) indicated in terms of sub-regulations (1) and (2) may not be 
abbreviated.  
 
Indicati on of  the date marking or batch code or batch number  
 
23. (1) For the purpose of batch identification and traceability, e ach container contai ning coffee, 
chicory and related products shall be clearly marked with the date marking or batch code or batch number in 
such a way that the specific batch is easily identifiable and traceable.  
 
(2) (a) If a date marking appears on a container – 
 
(i) it shall be preceded by appropriate wording “best before” or “best quality 
before” and/or “use by”, and/or “expiration date”, depending on the nature of  
11 
 the coffee, chicory or related product c oncerned;  
 
(ii) abbreviations of the preceding wording shall n ot be allowed, except in the case 
of “best 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 d ate sequence is used, the month shall be 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 coffee, chicory or a relate product is  packed in an outer container, which will during 
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.  
 
Restricted particulars   
 
24.    (1)      (a) No product name  other than the applicabl e product name  in Table 1 for the coffee, 
chicory or related product concerned shall be marked on a container thereof : Provided 
that product name s of other categories of coffee, chicory and/or related 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 for example “also try 
these products in our range”, etc.  
 
(b) No word or expression which so nearly r esembles the product name  for coffee, chicory 
or a related product concerned that it could be misleading with regard to the 
composition of the product presented for sale , shall be marked on the container of 
such product.  
 
(2) 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, category, origin or composition of coffee, chicory or a related product  shall be marked on a 
container of such product.  
 
(3) Subject to the provisions of regulation  19(2)(e), the claims “100%”, “100% pure” “100% coffee” , 
“100% pure coffee” , “pure coffee” or “pure”,  shall not be marked on the container of Decaffeinated coffee, 
Decaffeinated instant coffee,  Coffee essence (liquid coffee extract/ concentrate), Mixed coffee  (coffee mixture ), 
Chicory , Chicory extracts , Coffee and chicory mixture, Coffee and chicory essence (liq uid coffee and chicory 
extract / concentrate ), Instant coffee and chicory extract , Chicory and coffee mixture  or Instan t chicory and 
coffee extract . 
 
(4) No claim regarding the absence of any substance that does not normally occur in coffee, 
chicory or a related  product shall be marked on the container of such product, except in the cases where the 
negative claim is allowed for in the regulations published under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants 
Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972).  
 
(5) The word “instant” may only be marked on the container containing Instant coffee (soluble 
coffee extract) , Decaffeinated instant coffee, Instant coffee and chicory extract  as well as  Instant chicory and 
coffee extract . 
 
(6) Any depictions, illustrations , words  or wording  which emphasise the presence of an added 
foodstuff  in coffee, chicory or related product s shall only be allowed if the requirements of Quantitative 
Ingredient Declarations (QUID), as specified in the regulations published under the Foodstuffs , Cosmetics and 
Disinfectants Act,1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972), have been complied with.  
 
(7) The provisions of this regulation shall also apply to particulars that are marked on -- 
 
(a) an outer container in which one or more separate containers of coffee, chicory or  
12 
 related products  is packed;  
 
(b) a notice board displayed at or in the immediate vicinity of  coffee, chicory or a related 
product  that is kept or displayed for sale; and  
 
(c) all advertisements for coffee, chicory and related products . 
 
PART I V 
 
SAMPLING AND INSPECTION  
 
Sampling  
 
25. For the purpose of inspection for quality control , an inspector shall take such samples of a product, 
material, substance or other article in question as he or she may deem necessary.  
 
Analysis  
  
26.  (1) Samples shall be analysed using the latest versions of the methods  set out in Table 2 below .  
 
TABLE  2 
METHODS OF ANALYSIS  
 
Nature of determination  Method  
(a) Caffeine content (anhydrous)  AOAC 960.25/ 979.11  
ISO 4052:1983  
ISO 20481:2008  
(b) Moisture content  AOAC 968.11/ 979:12  
ISO 20938:2008  
(c) Dry matter content  ISO/ DIS 22994  
 
(2) Notwithstanding sub -regulation (1), any other method which is accepted and approved by the 
Association of Official Agricultural Chemists ( AOAC ) or the International Organization for Standardization  (ISO) 
may be used: Provided that – 
 
(a) the metho d concerned has been validated;  
 
(b) the laboratory concerned employing this method has been accredited (e.g. by 
SANAS); and  
 
(c) the laboratory concerned conducts proficiency testing/ inter -laboratory comparisons.  
 
 (3) If the results of the analysis performed deviate from the prescribed compositional 
requirements for the  product  concerned, the whole batch from which the relevant samples were obtained shal l 
be regarded as non -compliant.  
 
PART V 
 
OFFENCES  AND PENALTIES  
 
Offences and penalties  
 
27. 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 imprisonment in accordance with section 11 of the Act.