Food & Beverage Reporter

Food & Beverage Reporter (FBR) is one of South Africa’s leading B2B magazines, with a track record of more than 25 years in the industry. With thought leadership and in-depth coverage of technical topics, news, and local and international developments across the foodbev and allied industries, the magazine caters for South Africa and neighbouring countries. FBR also carries a specialist Packaging& Processing Reporter section in each issue, exploring technology, ideas, and trends in these key segments of the food chain. In response to changing readership trends we offer a fully digitized publication, with both Apple and Android apps In March each year, FBR’s annual Supplier Directory is distributed both in print and online versions providing you with a handy guide to local suppliers and service providers on the continent.

From the editor

Food & Beverage Reporter

New import duties pose major risk of French fry shortages • Experts warn of a potentially severe shortage of French fries in coming months, as dramatic new import duties on European producers block supply to the local market.

Poultry Imports into SA Negative or Necessary? • Consensus seems divided on the issue of poultry import tariffs – some credit it as a lifeline for struggling consumers, as chicken is one of the most widely eaten protein sources in South Africa. Yet industry feels that this will lead to ‘dumping’ of product from overseas markets, which will impact the sector negatively and hamper economic growth. We look at both sides.

Pick n Pay Launches new QualiSave brand

KM Packaging appoints Frances Busby as Managing Director

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PAMSA announces SA paper production and recycling stats

Food Lover’s Market increases renewable energy investment

Woolworths launches ‘food for thought’ podcast

South Africa’s first locally manufactured chewing gum is here

That’s not all Pick n Pay has been busy with…

IFF Appoints Nicolas Gebara as Senior VP

JHB High Court temporarily halts planned seizures of plant-based meat products • Since the first communique from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) in June 2022, the plant-based sector has been in turmoil. The latest news to unfold was a letter sent to industry on 16 August by the designated assignee, The Food Safety Agency. They advised that from 22 August they would commence with seizure of any meat analogue products on retail shelves, which used product names reserved for meat products. But industry did not take the news lying down and appealed to the high court for a reprieve.

Food Pathogens Part 2 Testing laboratories and risk mitigation • Microorganisms and humans have a longstanding, pre-recorded co-existence where food is a source of nutrition for both humans and microorganisms. However, microbial safety, spoilage, and quality issues is an issue that continues to plague the food sector, even in the 21st century. Unwanted microorganisms prevalent in the food can cause unnecessary waste, financial losses, and customer dissatisfaction, all of which can threaten a brand’s reputation 1.

Snippet • According to the Brand Finance Food and Drink Report for 2022:

Food Pathogens Part 2 Insights from industry: Anatech • The article Food Pathogens - The Data Speaks for Itself, by Food Focus on 27 July 2022, highlighted a total of 243 incidences of food borne pathogen contaminating various products. From spices to peanut butter to meat to dough, it shows that the whole food sector needs to be vigilant and needs to take a closer look at ensuring safe food products. Microbial testing plays an integral part in this process.

Food Pathogens Part 2 Insights from Industry: Dairy Standards Agency • In South Africa, the legislation to manage the handling of food safety is outdated. The...