Regulations relating to health messages on container labels of alcoholic beverages (No. R. 764 of 2007)

STAATSKOERANT, 24 AUGUSTUS 2007 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DEPARTEMENT VAN GESONDHEID No. 30184 39 No. R. 764 24 August 2007 FOODSTUFFS, COSMETICS AND DISINFECTANTS ACT, 1972 REGULATIONS RELATING TO HEALTH MESSAGES ON CONTAINER LABELS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES The Minister of Health has, in terms of section 15 of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972), made the regulations in the Schedule. SCHEDULE Definitions 1. In these regulations, "the Act" means the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1992 (Act No. 54 of 1972), and any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in that Act, shall have that meaning and, unless the context indicates otherwise: "alcoholic beverage" means a liquor product as defined in section 1 of the Liquor Products Act, 1989 (Act No. 60 of 1989) and includes beer and traditional African beer as defined in section 1 and Schedule 1 respectively, of the Liquor Act, 2003 (Act No. 59 of2003). Health messages on container labels 2. ( 1) Container labels for alcoholic beverages must contain at least one of the health messages set out in the annexure to these regulations. (2) A health message referred to in subregulation (1) shall (i) be visible, legible and indelible and the legibility thereof shall not be affected by any other matter, printed or otherwise; (ii) be on a space specifically devoted for it which must be at least one eight of the total size of the container label; and (iii) be in black on a white background. 40 No. 30184 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 24 AUGUST 2007 Language 3. A health message shall be in any of the South African official languages but must be in the same language as that of the container label. Prohibited statements 4. The following information or declarations shall not appear on any container label of an alcoholic beverage: (a) Words, pictorial representations, descriptions which may create the impression that such an alcoholic beverage has been manufactured in accordance with recommendations made by (i) a health professional registered in terms of any law; (ii) any health organization, association or foundation; (b) the words "health" "healthy" "heal" "cure" "restorative" or other words or , , ' ' symbols claiming that the alcoholic beverage has health giving, medicinal, therapeutic or prophylactic properties as part of the name or description of the alcoholic beverage; or ( c) the words: Subject to the provisions of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 ( Act no. IO 1 of 1965) or similar wording that makes reference to the said Act. Offences and Penalties 5. Any person who contravenes the provisions of these regulations shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment. Commencement of regulations 6. These regulations come into operation 18 months from the date of publication. J~ I ./-i -JI /uhqyh ~ ME TSHABALALA-MSIMANG MINISTER OF HEALTH STAATSKOERANT, 24 AUGUSTUS 2007 No.30184 41 ANNEXUREA HEALTH MESSAGES 1. Alcohol reduces driving ability, don't drink and drive. 2. Don't drink and walk on the road, you may be killed. 3. Alcohol increases your risk to personal injuries. 4. Alcohol is a major cause of violence and crime. 5. Alcohol abuse is dangerous to your health. 6. Alcohol is addictive. 7. Drinking during pregnancy can be harmful to your unborn baby.