Producers forced to say what is in meat

CONSUMERS will now know if they are buying pure beef or water buffalo mixed with beef or donkey in sausages. New regulations, which force producers to display what is in the meat sold, have come into effect. Stellenbosch University Professor Leon Hoffman, who found donkey in meat bought from a KwaZulu-Natal butchery last year, praised the regulations. He said they would give consumers information about all the ingredients – including soya and chicken – going into processed "red" meat. The regulations also ensure the country where the meat was produced is displayed. "This means wealthier consumers can choose to buy South African lamb over Australian lamb and be proudly South African," he said. Attorney Leana Engelbrecht said that much to her amusement the example given in the regulations of how to label processed meat gave the ingredients as water buffalo, horse and donkey. Producers in breach of the law will be given a chance to comply and only if they continue to ignore the regulations will they face a fine equal to 10% of their turnover or up to R100-million. – Katharine Child