The importance of meat labelling can be examined from two perspectives: legislation requirements and customer transparency. Stringent labelling rules must be followed according to the Department of Agriculture before exporting meat internationally. In addition to the classification, packing and marking of processed meat products, numerous food health and safety checks need to occur.

Regulations regarding the classification, packing and marking of processed meat products

The different types of meat labelling include but are not limited to

• Class
• Sub-class
• Minimum total meat equivalent (%)
• Minimum total meat content (%) (analysed)
• Minimum lean meat content (%) (analysed and calculated)
• Maximum fat content (%) (analysed)
• Maximum added pork rinds (%)
• Maximum added gelatine (%)
• Maximum added de-feathered chicken skin (%)
• Product name

We’ll illustrate the above information in a table for ease of reference. (Table example courtesy of the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.) Please note this is an example of a variety of pork sausages.

Class	Sub-class	Minimum total meat equivalent (%)	Minimum total meat content (%) (analysed)	Minimum lean meat content (%) (analysed and calculated)	Maximum fat content (%) (analysed)	Maximum added pork rinds (%)	Maximum added gelatine (%)	Maximum added defeathered chicken skin (%)	Product name
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Comminuted, cured and heat treated products	Comminuted, cured and heat treated products	60	25	15	30	15	0	0	Pork sausages

Each country may also require certain declarations on the label. For example, in the USA. Claims that require oversight and special approval by USDA-FSIS LPDS include

• Animal raising claims: raised without antibiotics, raised without hormones.
• Living condition claims: free-range, pasture-raised.
• Animal diet claims: grass-fed, grain-fed, vegetarian-fed.

A report conducted by the International Food Information Council found that shoppers are “increasingly demanding transparency and a closer connection to their food, so much that 75% are more likely to switch to a brand that provides more in-depth product information, beyond what’s on the label.” As ethical suppliers of superior quality pork meat products, Van Wyngaardt supports the consumers’ right to know about the food they are eating and how it will impact their health and the environment, mainly if it’s been imported from another country.

How to order our products

Our online product enquiry platform has been specifically designed to provide you with a professional, efficient ordering experience. We need you to fill in the webform with your details, relevant industry (wholesale, retail or private) and the specifications of your order. Once this is sent to us, our knowledgeable sales representatives will process your order and ensure it is delivered to its destination (local and international) within the timeframe specified on the delivery policy.

Van Wyngaardt’s delivery policy

Our delivery policy requires a minimum order depending on the shipping region. You may order between Monday to Thursday. If you order before noon, we guarantee next-day delivery. If you order after noon, you will receive the order the following working day. This is only valid for Gauteng stores. The delivery time for outer-Gauteng stores may vary. At Van Wyngaardt, we pride ourselves on always providing exceeding good meats! You are welcome to contact us if you have any queries or require more information about our export policy. One of our sales representatives will happily assist you.