Sudan’s Sudanards Authority: Food Packages Must Carry Labels

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon

A technical workshop on labeling requirements for packaged food products, organized by the Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization, has recommended mandatory implementation of technical regulations governing food labeling on all packaged food products.

Maha Abdullah, Director of Standards at the organization, emphasized that product labels are among the most important tools enabling consumers to obtain essential information about a product before purchase. She noted that proper labeling plays a vital role in consumer protection and in preventing fraud and misleading practices, while highlighting the legal penalties associated with non-compliance.

The workshop reviewed five technical and scientific papers. The first provided an overview of technical regulations and their role in ensuring the safety of locally produced and imported foods within the framework of World Trade Organization requirements. Subsequent presentations examined the scope and objectives of the technical standard, mandatory and optional labeling information, conformity assessment mechanisms and responsibilities of suppliers and regulators, and the legal framework governing enforcement and penalties.

The workshop’s final recommendations called for greater consumer awareness regarding the importance of food labels and improved communication channels with regulatory authorities. Participants also recommended coordinated inspection campaigns targeting markets, factories, and warehouses, with a particular focus on combating food smuggling.

Additional recommendations included requiring producers to use high-quality labels capable of withstanding environmental conditions and ensuring that the name of the packaging facility, country of origin, and product type are clearly displayed on repackaged goods.

The workshop also proposed the establishment of a national team to periodically review food labels and build a database to support research and regulatory purposes. Labels should serve as a key tool for product traceability in the event of health-related incidents.

As part of efforts to combat deceptive marketing practices, the workshop approved a complete ban on promotional claims that portray food products as medicines. It also recommended prohibiting health or therapeutic claims without prior written approval from the relevant authorities.

The recommendations further prohibit unauthorized nutritional claims such as “low-fat” or “sugar-free” unless products meet strict regulatory standards. Misleading descriptions, images, and illustrations that create false impressions about products would also be banned.

Participants agreed that labeling a product as “100% natural” should be considered misleading if the product has undergone significant processing or contains chemical additives. The recommendations also prohibit promotional claims based on absolute superiority over similar products.

In addition, the workshop called for a ban on statements or images promoting infant formula as an ideal substitute for breast milk and on the use of images of fruits or natural ingredients when flavorings are artificial or present only in minimal quantities.

The recommendations stressed the mandatory disclosure of food additives and their international identification codes, as well as clear labeling of allergens such as nuts, milk, and gluten. Participants also advocated the use of simplified visual warnings, including symbols or color-coded alerts, to make information easier for consumers to understand.

To facilitate compliance, the workshop proposed attaching a list of required documentation as an annex to the technical regulation.

The event concluded with calls for expanded public awareness campaigns, distribution of educational materials in consumer centers, promotion of community initiatives, and cooperation with consumer protection organizations to deliver educational lectures. Participants also recommended incorporating food health and consumer awareness concepts into school curricula.

Finally, the workshop announced a requirement for suppliers and producers to include a smart QR code on product labels containing specifications, expiration information, and product images, with the aim of enhancing consumer protection and improving access to product information for people of all educational backgrounds.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=14895