The Food Advisory Consumer Service, FACS, is South Africa's first independent food and nutrition consumer service. It was launched on 16 January 1995.
Its purpose is to provide consumers with information on food and nutrition issues which is both relevant and scientifically correct.
FACS operates a telephone service from an office in Pretoria. The service is supported by a network of technical experts in food, nutrition and related subjects.
FACS is run by a committee representing SAAFoST, the South African National Consumer Union (SANCU), the Association of Dietetics (ADSA), the Directorate of Food Control of the Department of Health and professional representatives of other consumer-friendly organisations.
FACS has access to information from similar bodies overseas. However, it is committed to offering a comprehensive service in line with South Africa's unique situation. This would include risk groups such as infants, sufferers of malnutrition, etc.
FACS has good contact with the media and is a member of the Food Legislation Advisory Group (FLAG), the body concerned with food legislation in South Africa. It is also involved in Codex Alimentarius, the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
FACS OBJECTIVE
To provide consumers and other interested parties with information on food and nutrition issues which is both relevant and scientifically correct.
Food Advisory Consumer Service Posters - Educational Food Health and Safety Posters for Schools and Training
LATEST UPDATES
A FACS response to the 4 March Sunday Times article on Sudan Red, an illegal food dye, reportedly found in spices on supermarket shelves.
The Food Advisory Consumer Service believes that South African food regulations provide world class protection for consumers in South Africa. It is the FACS opinion that the regulations are easily accessible, that the services of the Directorate of Food Control at the Department of Health are readily available to advise on their application and that, consequently, there is no valid reason for not complying fully with the provisions of the food regulations.
The Service is also of the opinion that the resources of the Department of Health should be bolstered to enable better policing of the Foodstuffs Cosmetics and Disinfectants act for the protection of the South African consumer.
FACS is keen to see steps being taken to confirm the findings of the newspaper and is in favour of strong action being taken against these and any other careless and law-breaking producers of food that place the consumer at risk, however small. Well researched investigative journalism of the kind that brings dubious and potentially illegal practices to the attention of the consumer and the authorities, is to be applauded.
The FACS Executive Team
Food Briefs: Dioxins and the reuse of plastic bottles [read more]
Food Briefs has been updated to include information on Dioxins and the reuse of plastic bottles.
Regulation of Food Safety and Quality: Consumers' Concerns [read more]
Access to safe and affordable food is a basic human right. Food that carries potential risks can be harmful to health. Consumers expect and deserve protection against risks found in food and therefore appropriate regulatory systems are important.
