New food donation guidelines set to curb waste and fight hunger in SA

Pippa Hudson (standing in for Cape Talk's Lester Kiewit) chats to Managing Director of FoodForward SA, Andy Du Plessis.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

South Africa has reached a major milestone in the fight against food waste and hunger with the creation of a national standard for food donation - the Food Donation and Redistribution Best Practice Standard. 

"It's a huge, huge win for South Africa. It's a huge win for food security and malnutrition, as we see that growing across South Africa. We do believe that the standard will now allow a pathway for more commercial farmers, food manufacturers and retailers to be able to take decisions around redistributing rather than dumping edible surplus food across our landfills. As you know, we are running out of landfill space...so a very exciting piece of news."

- Andy Du Plessis, Managing Director - FoodForward SA

Developed through a collaboration between FoodForward SA and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), the framework sets out strict hygiene and safety protocols for redistributing edible surplus food that is no longer commercially sellable but still perfectly safe to eat.

Du Plessis says the initiative is expected to significantly increase participation from retailers, food manufacturers, and farmers who were previously hesitant to donate due to a lack of clear guidelines. 

He adds that a 2021 survey conducted by FoodForward SA and the Consumer Goods Council found that 70% of food industry players would be more likely to donate if such a standard were in place. 

The standard, finalised in record time thanks to strong industry support says Du Plessis, will soon be released for public comment. 

Once approved, it will provide the first official national benchmark for safe food redistribution.

ALSO READ:

• 1 in 5 households face hunger as South Africa wastes a third of its food 
• Repurpose the surplus: How Food Forward SA is trying to eradicate hunger in SA 
• How Still Good can help YOU save the planet and your wallet 

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