South Africa, July 25 -- The regulations, published under Government Gazette Notice R. 6436 on 18 July 2025, follow a series of consultative meetings with all affected stakeholders, including the red meat industry.

The regulations set out minimum standards for meat analogues and prescribe the labelling requirements, and compliance to the standards for meat when presented for sale.

According to the department, any product labelled as a "meat replacer", "meat substitute", "meat alternative", "plant-based protein", or any similar terminology on the main display panel, must contain a minimum of 9% protein.

"The meat analogue products, also known as meat substitutes, mock meat, faux meat, or imitation meat, were initially defined in the Pro...