The role of Government in Food Renusha Chanda 2012

Roadmap 1. Principles and functions 2. Jobs at the national level 3. Related jobs 4. International level 5. Skills

Government and Food The primary role of Government is to regulate food. Regulation is based on three principles: ◦ Safety ◦ Quality/Composition ◦ Prevention of misleading consumers Functions are carried out under different legislation, i.e. Acts of law All government functions related to regulation of food is known as a food control system

Safety of food Aim is to ensure that foods consumed are safe. Why? Public health initiative. Regulates additives, contaminants and chemicals used in food production by legislating maximum limits or criteria for hygiene or registration. Also legislates penalties if safety regulations are not complied with. Therefore enforcement inspectorate is required. Safety related legislation in South Africa: Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972), Meat Safety Act, 2000.

Quality/composition of food Relevant for classification of foods, regulates criteria for classification Examples: ◦ Fruit juices and drink classification based on percentage juice in the product (juice, nectar, drink etc) ◦ Cake flour, industrial flour, brown bread wheat flour, white bread wheat flour etc. ◦ Jams, jellies and marmalades Also legislates penalties if regulations are not complied with. Therefore enforcement inspectorate is required. Linked to prevention of misleading consumers Agricultural Products Standards Act, 1990, National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act, 2008.

Prevention of misleading consumers Usually applicable to labelling of foodstuffs and claims Aim is to ensure consumers are informed of the true contents of a product. Criteria published for claims and use of certain words on labels. Regulation of warning statements (polyols, caffeine etc) if certain ingredients are used. Penalties are also legislated. Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 and Agricultural Products Standards Act, 1990, Consumer Protection Act, 2008

Jobs per function Jobs Drafting of legislation Enforcing legislation Communicating about legislation. Promoting food safety

Careers Drafting legislation ◦ Scientists: Microbiologists, biochemists, toxicologists, nutritionists, agricultural scientists, food scientists, veterinarians. Enforcement ◦ Environmental health practitioners, agricultural production technicians, chemists and analysts for lab testing IECT/Promotion/Extension ◦ Environmental health practitioners, agricultural production technicians, other

Other food related Government jobs Food security specialists Agricultural input control: ◦ Chemists & biologists for pesticide registration and evaluation ◦ Veterinarians and pharmacists for veterinary drug registration and evaluation ◦ Genetic scientists for registration and evaluation of genetically modified food ◦ Animal health scientists Public health specialists Public administrators Lawyers (consumer law)

International level United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization ◦ Public health specialists ◦ Scientists: Toxicologists, chemists, nutritionists, agricultural scientists, pharmacologists

Skills Technical knowledge Legislative/regulatory knowledge. Analytical thinkers Contextual thinkers (government goals, public administration) Systems thinkers