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Diabetes in Crisis: Inside the Johannesburg Declaration Media Breakfast

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

HEALA and the Diabetes Alliance hosted a powerful media breakfast unpacking South Africa’s growing diabetes crisis and the urgent need for action through the Johannesburg Declaration. Hosted by Bongiwe Zwane, the conversation brought together leading voices in public health and advocacy, including Nzama Mbalati, Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie, and Amanda Mashego. The panel explored the systemic challenges shaping diabetes care in South Africa—from prevention and early detection to stigma, access to treatment, and the need for stronger policy action. With diabetes claiming thousands of lives each year, the discussion called for urgent, coordinated efforts to turn the tide. This media breakfast marks just the beginning. The real work starts now—taking the Johannesburg Declaration beyond the room and into communities across the country.

Confronting diabetes: South Africa’s urgent call for action following Johannesburg Declaration

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

Confronting diabetes: South Africa’s urgent call for action following Johannesburg Declaration

Johannesburg-15 April 2026- In a pivotal move toward addressing the escalating diabetes crisis in South Africa, the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) convened yet another dialogue focused on the challenges faced by the nation’s more than 4 million diabetic population.


This discussion followed the recent finalisation of the Johannesburg Declaration for Accelerated Action on Diabetes and served as a platform to galvanise public and media awareness around this pressing public health issue.


Held at the Southern Sun Hotel in Rosebank, the media breakfast event featured a dynamic panel discussion led by SABC anchor Bongiwe Zwane, alongside HEALA’s CEO, Nzama Mbalati, Dr Patrick Ngassa Piotie, Chairman of the Diabetes Alliance, as well as one of South Africa’s leading diabetes activist, Amanda Mashego.


These experts and stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the widespread implications of diabetes, which is increasingly cited as one of the world’s leading non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Mbalati, emphasised the vision outlined in the Johannesburg Declaration – a commitment to ensuring that every South African, irrespective of income, geography, gender, or health status, has access to equitable diabetes prevention and care.


“Following last year’s Diabetes Summit, we want to keep the momentum going. The commitments made in the declaration must not be allowed to gather dust,” Mbalati asserted.
Mbalati further highlighted the need for collective society efforts, from government to academia, to confront the diabetes crisis decisively.


Yet despite years of advocacy, government policies and interventions still lag significantly. Experts attending the panel highlighted the urgent need for greater empowerment and support for individuals living with diabetes, with Dr Ngassa Piotie, pointing out that the education given to medical students is inadequate when it comes to understanding the complexities of diabetes management. “There is a danger that we may repeat the same mistakes we made with HIV/Aids treatment. We need to empower communities and ensure that the next generation of healthcare professionals is well-equipped to manage diabetes,” laments Dr Ngassa Piotie.

While there has been a notable decrease in diabetes-related fatalities, from 95,000 in 2021 to just over 24,000 in 2024, the burden of diabetes continues to escalate, posing significant threats to public health and economic stability in South Africa. Both Dr Ngassa Piotie and Mashego, whose diagnoses in 2020 spurred her to take a keen interest in advocacy work, echoed the sentiment shared by other panelists that more proactive measures and education are vital.

Despite having found new and innovative ways to contribute positively to the discussions around diabetes, Mashego expressed her frustration over the lack of support available to young individuals living with diabetes.

“Sometimes I wonder what the future looks like for young people. I am angry, and my anger stems from the fact that when I was diagnosed in 2020, I faced the most challenging time of my life. I had to educate myself in real time. Sometimes when young people contact me, I am confronted by the burdens they face daily,” she shared passionately.


Mashego reveals that she is particularly concerned about young individuals forced to navigate their diabetes journeys alone, often without adequate familial or governmental assistance.
Her experience mirrors a broader issue plaguing young diabetics—many find themselves self-educating on managing their condition amidst societal stigma. “I had to deal with nurses who would just give you insulin without explaining anything. Some nurses hand you a handful of insulin, and for the next six months, you have to figure things out by yourself. That is why I am angry due to the many unfulfilled government promises,” she lamented, illustrating the pressing gap in education and support within the healthcare system.

This conversation served not only as a forum for discussion but as a rallying cry for urgent collective action against diabetes in South Africa. As stakeholders continue to push for accountability and reforms, the impact of diabetes on individuals and the healthcare system remains a poignant reminder of the work yet to be done.

Mbalati further stresses the importance of active, rather than passive activism, which he says is needed to move the country and the government towards a more practical approach to stemming the tide against the diabetes scourge.

“We cannot accept being satisfied with doing the bare minimum. Another thing is the private sector. We keep talking about the public sector, but the private sector also has a role to play. Also, people living with diabetes need to have a seat at the table when policies are being developed,” Mbalati concludes

Budget 2026 a chance to boost ‘sugary drinks tax’, cut costs and save lives

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

As South Africa prepares for its 2026 budget speech, the under-discussed Health Promotion Levy stands out as a proven tool to curb sugar consumption, reduce costly non-communicable diseases and ease pressure on the healthcare system. Allowing the sugary drinks tax to stagnate under industry pressure risks deepening inequality, shifting the burden of preventable illness onto poor communities instead of strengthening prevention and public health.

As South Africa approaches this year’s budget speech (25 February 2026) , much attention is being paid to unemployment, national debt and inequality.

Yet one tax, which has the potential to improve the lives of South Africans, particularly the poorest, receives little attention.

The Health Promotion Levy, commonly called the sugary drinks tax, was introduced in 2018 with a clear objective: reduce excessive sugar consumption with a view to reducing obesity and associated non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension. When the levy was adopted, it worked. A United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research study released in 2025 noted that the levy led to an increase of 15% in the consumption of non-taxable sugary drinks.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

This article was published in The Daily Maverick on the 24th of February 2026.

The Health Promotion Levy Is a Food Justice and Human Rights Imperative, Not a Tax on the Poor

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

Johannesburg, South Africa, 23 January. With Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana set to deliver his Budget Vote on 25 February, civil society organisations — the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA), Grow Great (GG), Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), and other members of the Food Justice Coalition (FJC) reiterate strong support for South Africa’s Health Promotion Levy (HPL), emphasising that the levy is a proven human rights-based policy tool that protects lives, reduces inequality, and advances the constitutional right of access to health care services.

As pressure mounts from industry groups to weaken or repeal the HPL, we warn that rolling back the levy would undermine progress in addressing hunger, diet-related disease and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which disproportionately affect low-income communities.

Non-communicable diseases account for approximately 51% of all deaths in South Africa, with diabetes now the second leading natural cause of death nationally (Stats SA). Oral diseases continue to contribute to significant global and national morbidity and disability, with over 3.7 billion people impacted globally. Nationally, 1 in 4 (27.9%), people aged 5 years and above experienced untreated dental decay and 24.5% of persons over the age of 15 experienced severe gum diseases (leading to preventable and premature tooth loss) both of these disease having a significant, but often overlooked impact on health and quality of life.  Excess body weight affects around 68% of women and 31% of men in South Africa, while childhood overweight and obesity rates are among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.

The HPL Is Not Harmful to Poor Households

“Framing the Health Promotion Levy as harmful to poor households is not only misleading, but deeply cynical,” said Nzama Mbalati, CEO at HEALA. “Low-income communities already pay the highest price for unhealthy food environments through preventable illness, lost income and avoidable deaths.”

Since its introduction in 2018 at a rate of 11% (2.1 cents per gram of sugar above 4g/100ml), peer-reviewed research has shown that the HPL led to a 29% reduction in sugar purchased from taxable beverages among lower-income households, alongside significant product reformulation by manufacturers.

From a revenue perspective, the HPL has generated approximately R2 billion per year in its early years of implementation. If increased to 20% in line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, revenue could increase substantially while maximising public health impact. WHO recommends that sugary drink taxes raise retail prices by at least 20% to meaningfully reduce consumption.

Moreover, the potential to earmark HPL revenue for health promotion, nutrition programmes and food security interventions offers a direct opportunity to support vulnerable communities” says Mbalati.

A Rights-Based Response to an Unjust Food System

South Africa faces a dual crisis of hunger and obesity, driven by a food system that makes ultra-processed, sugary products cheap and widely available while healthier options remain unaffordable for many households.

 Recent national data indicates that one in four South African children under five experiences stunting, while at the same time sugary beverage consumption remains high, particularly among adolescents. Excessive sugar intake is a major contributor to diabetes, dental decay,  heart disease and stroke, conditions that place immense strain on families and the public health system. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that over 4.2 million adults in South Africa are living with diabetes, with many more undiagnosed. Diabetes-related complications significantly increase public healthcare expenditure and reduce household income due to disability and premature mortality.

Public health evidence, including local studies evaluating the HPL, shows that the levy has shifted consumer purchasing behaviour toward beverages with less sugar and incentivised industry reformulation without the large-scale job losses predicted by industry opponents.

Supporting Farmers Through Just Transition

We note with concern that local farmers are affected by uncertainty in the global sugar industry. The supply chain faces high production costs, shrinking markets and changing consumer behaviour.

For long-term sustainability, government and farmers must work collaboratively to pivot away from sugar dependency through a just transition framework.

One promising approach involves creating opportunities for farmers to supply affordable, nutritious produce to Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres nationwide. Government-facilitated farmer-ECD partnerships would support farmer livelihoods while improving child nutrition outcomes.

Debunking the “Tax on the Poor” Narrative

HEALA and Union Against Hunger stress that the claim that the HPL unfairly targets poor households ignores the lived reality of diet-related disease.

Lower-income communities experience disproportionately high rates of obesity and diabetes, yet face reduced access to preventative healthcare and early screening services. Evidence shows that lower-income households also benefit most from reductions in sugary beverage consumption following price increases.

“The real injustice is allowing an aggressive sugary drinks market to continue targeting children and low-income communities with impunity,” added Tendai Mafuma, Senior Legal Researcher at SECTION27. “Weakening the HPL would be a direct betrayal of the government’s constitutional obligations.”

A Call to Protect and Strengthen the HPL

We call on National Treasury and policymakers to:

  • Reject industry-driven attempts to weaken or repeal the Health Promotion Levy.
  • Increase the levy in line with global best practice to maximise health impact (minimum 20% price increase as recommended by WHO).
  • Commit to investing HPL revenue in health promotion, nutrition and food security programmes.
  • Place food justice and human rights at the centre of fiscal and health policy decision-making.

“At a time of rising hunger, inequality and preventable disease, South Africa cannot afford policy capture by vested interests,” says Dr. Edzani Mphaphuli, Executive Director at Grow Great .“The Health Promotion Levy is not the problem , it is part of the solution.”

ENDS

For media enquiries and Interviews, please contact:

Mr. Neo Merafi

Maverick Brand Communications 

neo@maverickbrand.co.za

WhatsApp: 071 359 9738

OR

Ms. Zukiswa Zimela 

Communications Manager- HEALA 

zukiswa@heala.org

WhatsApp: 074 521 0652  

Notes to Editors (Updated)

  • The Health Promotion Levy was introduced in April 2018.
  • The levy taxes sugary beverages containing more than 4g of sugar per 100ml.
  • Non-communicable diseases account for approximately 51% of deaths in South Africa.
  • Diabetes is the second leading natural cause of death nationally.
  • Peer-reviewed research shows a 29% reduction in sugar purchased from taxable beverages among lower-income households after implementation.
  • WHO recommends sugary drink taxes increase prices by at least 20% to achieve optimal public health impact.
  • The HPL allocation to the NDoH has remained largely unspent for the past 10 years. For the 2025/2026 fiscal year, only R15 million of the allocated R52 million has been earmarked, and this for a limited number of organisations — namely Park Run, the National Organ Donation Foundation, the National Cancer Registry, and the Knowledge Translation Unit (KTU) at UCT.

The Bitter Truth: Nestlé still adding more sugar to baby food in SA despite previous backlash BACKLASH

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

Media Statement 

18 November 2025

For Immediate release

A new investigation by Swiss NGO Public Eye has exposed how global food giant Nestlé is adding sugar to baby cereals sold in South Africa, while selling sugar-free versions of the same products in Europe. This follows the scandal that broke earlier in the year where it was revealed that Nestle has a pattern of selling sugary baby food in lower-income countries, while reserving healthier product formulation for richer counterparts.   

Laboratory tests of Nestlé’s Cerelac range found that 90% of products sold across Africa contain added sugar. In South Africa, 3 in 4 Cerelac products tested included added sugar, averaging 4.9 grams per serving — more than a teaspoon — in products marketed for babies as young as six months. Some variants contained as much as 5.2 grams per serving. Equivalent products in Germany and the United Kingdom contain none.

“This is corporate hypocrisy at its worst,” said Nzama Mbalati CEO for the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA). “Nestlé knows full well that added sugar harms infants, yet continues to dump sugary products on African babies. It’s a blatant double standard that treats African children’s health as less important.”

The World Health Organization explicitly warns that baby foods should contain no added sugar, as early exposure increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases later in life. South Africa already faces one of the world’s highest childhood obesity rates — a crisis fuelled by aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods.

“South Africa has experienced a dramatic surge in overweight and obesity in children under five,” says Lori Lake, Communication and Education Specialist at the Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town.

Lake adds that rates nearly doubled from 13% in 2016 to 22% in 2022 – with one in four young children now overweight or obese – and this is more than four times higher than the global average. 

“So, we need to ask ourselves, if Nestle is really committed to optimal health and nutrition, then why are they continuing to add extra sugar to their infant cereal – and to what extent are they helping to fuel an epidemic of non-communicable disease in South Africa,” she explains. 

 According to Lake adding sugar to infant cereals acts like a gateway drug, helping establish a lifelong preference for sugary foods that then increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and other NCDs later in life. So, while sugar is sweet – it can leave a bitter aftertaste. She adds that multinational food corporations stand to profit, but it is South Africa’s children and families – and health care system – who will have to carry the costs – which further entrenches inequalities.

Despite acknowledging on its own South African website that high sugar intake poses serious health risks for children, Nestlé continues to promote Cerelac as a “nutritious” and “balanced” product. The company also pays local influencers to endorse Cerelac online, blurring the line between advertising and trusted nutrition advice.

We call on Nestlé South Africa and the National Department of Health to take immediate action: remove added sugar from all baby and toddler foods; enforce strong, mandatory front-of-package warning labels; and introduce strict regulations to stop misleading marketing practices targeting parents and caregivers.

Ends.

For media enquiries please contact:

Lori Lake: Communication and Education Specialist at the Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town. 

lori.lake@uct.ac.za | 0825580446

Dorothy Breslin: Senior Communications Organiser at Groundwork

dorothy@groundwork.org.za | 0823193741

Zukiswa Zimela Communications Manager at HEALA

zukiswa@heala.org | 0745210652

Glaring omission in Godongwana’s mid-term budget policy statement.

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

The Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) is profoundly disappointed by the lack of mention of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s mid-term budget policy statement. 

The South African government imposes taxes on certain products, such as alcohol and tobacco, to generate revenue and discourage consumption due to their negative health and societal impacts. Similarly, HPL aims to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks. However, unlike “sin taxes,” the HPL hasn’t seen a significant increase since its introduction in 2018, representing a potential missed opportunity for revenue.

The World Health Organisation has highlighted the importance of health taxes, noting that health taxes are a valuable tool for reducing disease burden and generating revenue. By implementing or increasing these taxes, governments can improve public health outcomes while securing funds for healthcare initiatives. 

South Africa is facing a dramatic increase in non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. The overconsumption of sugary drinks has been linked to an increase risk of these illnesses. 

These taxes offer multiple benefits, including improved health outcomes, reduced consumption of harmful products, and increased revenue for healthcare. They can also be used to fund specific health initiatives, such as universal health coverage, increases in the child support grant and the expansion of the National School Nutrition Programme. 

It is unconscionable that the sugar industry continues to be coddled by the government, while calls for an increase in the HPL to protect the lives of South Africans go unheeded.

HEALA is calling for an increase to the HPL and the recognition of the levy as a necessary health tax for the good of all who live in South Africa. 

Ends.

For media enquiries please contact

Zukiswa Zimela HEALA Communications Manager

zukiswa[@]heala.org 0745210651

Where food is a right and good nutrition a luxury, millions in SA are stunted

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

International law recognises every human being’s right to adequate food. Our own constitution states that “everyone has the right to have access to sufficient food and water”. Despite this, our country is grappling with serious issues of hunger. A 2023 report by Stats SA estimates that 3.7-million households had some form of food insecurity. Of this, about 1.5-million households had severe food insecurity. It is wrong that this is happening in a country that with a strong farming industry is considered food secure.

Over half a million South African families with children under five years old have to deal with hunger every day. This means that a quarter of our children are stunted, which is a sign of long-term malnutrition. One of the primary drivers of stunting is the lack of food that’s high in nutrients to support the growth of young bodies.

Researchers have long warned of the consequences of the rapidly occurring nutritional transition, where we no longer eat like our grandparents. We now buy cheaper, more filling, processed foods that have a lot of salt, sugar, and fat.

Since the inception in 2018 of the health promotion levy (HPL), a tax on sugar, people have been drinking less sugary drinks. The HPL has, in turn, generated billions in state revenue. HEALA and its partners have been calling for our government to use the funds generated for lifesaving interventions

This article was published on Elitsha on the 25th of Ocober 2025. Click Here to read the entire piece.

UN Political Declaration on NCD’s, mental health and food justice reflects a diluted commitment to decisive action.

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

Press Statement 

For Immediate Release 

23 September 2025

Ahead of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-Being – 25 September 2025

As the world prepares for the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, the Food Justice Coalition is deeply concerned that the current draft of the Political Declaration reflects a diluted commitment to decisive action. While it acknowledges global ambitions to reduce premature deaths and promote mental well-being, it lacks bold, measurable, and enforceable commitments urgently needed to reverse the rising tide of NCDs and diet-related ill-health.

In 2021, NCDs caused an estimated 43 million deaths, many preventable. South Africa and other low and middle-income countries carry the heaviest burden, despite proven, cost-effective, interventions. Yet, the declaration weakens critical language on industry accountability and omits clear fiscal and policy mechanisms to tackle the commercial determinants of NCDs, especially sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), ultra-processed foods, tobacco, and alcohol.

Taxes on harmful commodities are proven tools to reduce consumption and generate revenue for health systems. The latest advocacy report by the NCD Alliance,  a global alliance of organisations committed to fighting the rising tide of NCDs,  shows that financing essential NCD interventions requires at least 1.1–1.7% of gross national income, with up to 54% of costs allocated to essential medicines. Removing or softening commitments on taxation undermines governments’ ability to protect health and achieve financial protection for people living with NCDs.

Weak language signals weak resolve, emboldening powerful industries that profit from disease. The commercial drivers of NCDs, including aggressive marketing, price manipulation, and policy interference, cannot be addressed without binding, measurable fiscal and regulatory commitments.

Call to Action: South Africa and Member States Must Lead

The Food Justice Coalition calls on the Government of South Africa and all UN Member States to:


• Adopt binding regulations to reduce sugar, salt, and harmful chemicals in processed foods, alongside strict monitoring.


• Implement and scale up taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, ultra-processed foods, tobacco, and alcohol, at levels proportional to their health harms.


• Ringfence revenues from these taxes to finance universal access to NCD prevention, essential medicines, and mental health services.


• Enact safeguards against industry interference, including full transparency on political donations and lobbying.


• Mandate independent monitoring of corporate products and marketing, with annual reviews against explicit targets on reducing harmful consumption and NCD mortality.


• Guarantee equitable access to nutritious food, mental health care, and primary health services, prioritising low-income and marginalised communities.


• Centre the voices of people living with NCDs in policy design, implementation, and evaluation.

Conclusion

The Political Declaration cannot be another missed opportunity. A bold and uncompromising stance is needed to confront the structural drivers of ill health, close the financing gap, and protect future generations. South Africa, with its constitutional right to health and progressive public health record is uniquely positioned to champion stronger language and insist on clear fiscal and accountability measures.

The Food Justice Coalition stands ready to work with government, civil society, and global partners to ensure that the UN High-Level Meeting delivers on its promise: a future where every person can exercise their right to health, free from the predatory practices of industries that profit from disease.

[Ends]

Issued by:

The Food Justice Coalition –

The Food Justice Coalition is a values-driven alliance of organisations committed to advancing food justice through collective action, mutual support, and shared leadership. 

For media enquiries please contact:

Zukiswa Zimela | HEALA | zukiswa@heala.org | 074521065

HEALA pushes back against the recent ruling by the Advertising Regulatory Board 

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

PRESS RELEASE

IMMEDIATE: 08 SEPTEMBER 2025 

HEALA (Healthy Living Alliance), a non-profit organisation that advocates for healthy living and food justice for all, is appealing an Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) ruling that found its public-interest advert on the harmful effects of sugary drinks misleading and inaccurate. 

The ARB claimed that the messaging of the HEALA advertisement in question was positioned as fact instead of opinion, further citing that it was specifically worded to shock consumers into believing that any consumption of sugary drinks would lead to disease. 

We at HEALA believe that, if anything, our advertisement simply urges South Africans to be mindful of what they eat – especially foods high in sugar, salt, saturated fats and sweeteners, which can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other non-communicable diseases.


“This case is important because it will determine whether organisations such as HEALA can continue to run evidence-based public health campaigns without being unfairly restricted by advertising rules. It affects how civil society can raise awareness about diet-related diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, and advocate for policies like a stronger Health Promotion Levy. The appeal also raises key questions about freedom of expression, association, and the right to food and health, while setting an important precedent for non-commercial, advocacy-focused campaigns in South Africa. A ruling in HEALA’s favour would protect the space for public-interest advocacy and ensure that scientific evidence can be used to inform and protect communities,” notes HEALA CEO, Nzama Mbalati. 

HEALA, and its partners, believe the public should be made aware of how industry players often try to block life-saving policies through tactics such as the one outlined above. We also believe that people have the right to understand the grounds of this case, as our mission is to inform and educate South African consumers. Below, we share more details on the case and the next steps to help our partners and the public stay informed.

What was the cause of the case?

In October 2024, HEALA ran a campaign calling for a stronger Health Promotion Levy (the tax on sugary drinks). One of the advertisements, broadcast in Afrikaans, stated:

“Fizzy drinks and fruit juice make our children sick. With every sip, sugar is dumped into their bodies, leading to obesity, heart disease and diabetes as they age. We must protect our children from all drinks with sugar in them. Insist on a stricter health promotion levy now. Sign the petition on heala.org.”

A consumer lodged a complaint claiming that his daughter was distressed after hearing the HEALA advertisement. He argued that the advert wrongly implied that drinking sugary drinks will definitely cause serious illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, and that the advertisement therefore amounted to misleading health claims. 

Who is the ARB?

According to the ARB’s website it is “South Africa’s official self-regulation body that adjudicates complaints about advertising content.”  

The ARB is directly funded by several industry bodies, including companies that produce sodas and sugary drinks – which is the very controversial product in the public health advertisement.

What did the ARB originally say?

The Directorate of the Advertising Regulatory Board originally upheld the consumer’s complaint against HEALA’s advert. It found that the statement suggesting sugary drinks and fruit juice “make our children sick” was misleading because it implied that any consumption of such drinks would directly cause diseases like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. The Directorate concluded that the advert presented these health risks as inevitable outcomes rather than potential long-term effects, and therefore breached the Code of Advertising Practice. This ruling meant the advert could no longer be carried by ARB member platforms, prompting HEALA’s appeal.

What did the Appeal Committee conclude?

The Advertising Appeals Committee (AAC) dismissed HEALA’s appeal on 23 June 2025 and upheld the Directorate’s ruling against the advert. The AAC agreed the advert was misleading because it gave the impression that any sugary drink would automatically make children sick and cause diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. The Committee also rejected HEALA’s argument that the advert was public-interest advocacy and should be exempt from the Code, and that it should instead be treated as a set of factual health claims. HEALA argues this misrepresents both the purpose and wording of the advert, which was clearly intended as public health advocacy to protect children and build support for strengthening the Health Promotion Levy. By focusing on one consumer’s reaction rather than the broader advocacy message, the AAC’s ruling has limited HEALA’s ability to share its evidence-based campaign with the public.

What are the key issues to be decided before the final appeal committee?

  • Accuracy and evidence supporting the advert. The appeal body is to consider that HEALA’s advert is grounded in scientific evidence and expert reports, which clearly support the claims made about the harms of sugary drinks. HEALA provided two independent expert reports providing that the claim was accurate and highlighting the significant health risk of soda and fruit juice consumption on health.
  • Proper interpretation of the advert. The appeal body is to assess whether the ARB misread the advert as claiming that any sugar consumption will inevitably cause disease, when in fact it communicates that sugary drinks can contribute to long-term health risks.
  • Public-interest advocacy versus commercial advertising. The appeal body should recognise that the advert is part of HEALA’s public health advocacy, aiming to protect children and encourage public support for a heftier Health Promotion Levy. 
  • Jurisdiction of the ARB. The appeal body should consider whether health-related claims fall within the regulatory authority of the Department of Health rather than the ARB, and whether the ARB exceeded its mandate.
  • Non-commercial nature and consumer impact. The appeal body should weigh whether the advert misleads or harms consumers, noting that it simply encourages public engagement through petitioning and access to information.
  • Constitutional rights and advocacy standards. The appeal body should consider whether the AAC’s ruling imposes unreasonable restrictions on public health advocacy and infringes constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, association, and the right to adequate nutrition and health.

Why is this case important?

  • Protecting public health messaging. The outcome will affect how organisations such as HEALA can communicate evidence-based health risks, especially around sugar and diet-related diseases.
  • Safeguarding advocacy space. A ruling in HEALA’s favour would reinforce the ability of civil society to campaign on public-interest matters without being unfairly constrained by advertising regulations beyond that of commercial advertising.
  • Encouraging evidence-based action. The case underscores the importance of using scientific evidence in public campaigns to inform the public and influence policy, such as strengthening the Health Promotion Levy.
  • Defending constitutional rights. The appeal raises critical questions about freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the right to food and health, particularly in public health advocacy contexts.
  • Setting a precedent for non-commercial campaigns. The decision could clarify how non-commercial, advocacy-focused adverts are treated under the Advertising Code, shaping the landscape for future public health campaigns.

What are possible outcomes?

The appeal could have a few different outcomes. The Final Appeal Committee might rule in HEALA’s favour, confirming that the advert was lawful public-interest advocacy and allowing the campaign to continue. It could also dismiss the appeal, upholding the AAC’s finding that the advert was misleading, which would limit HEALA’s ability to run similar campaigns through ARB member channels. The Committee could also issue a partial ruling, clarifying how health claims or non-commercial advocacy should be treated under the advertising code. Whatever the outcome, both HEALA and the consumer would have the option to take the matter to the High Court for further review, keeping the door open for additional legal scrutiny. 

HEALA, looks forward to engaging with other stakeholders including the National Department of Health, National Treasury, and the sugar industry. It is vital that we properly educate and engage all stakeholders on this and other serious issues that could have a dire effect on the health of our nation. The industry needs to start putting the lives of South Africans ahead of profits.   

Ends

About HEALA
HEALA is a coalition of civil society organisations advocating for equitable access to affordable, nutritious food in South Africa by building a more just food system.

For media enquiries and interviews, please contact:

Mr. Neo Merafi: 071 359 9738 or Neo@maverickbrand.co.za 

HEALA embarks on roadshows to highlight the importance Front-of-Packaging Labelling on packaged foods

Posted on by Zukiswa Zimela

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

31 July 2025

The Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) is calling on the South African government to ratify regulations that make it mandatory for foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fat to carry a clear warning label on the front of packages. This, so that consumers can be empowered to make informed, and healthier decisions when buying food – especially when trying to identify healthier options.

Shockingly, low-income South African adults consume, on average, 40% of their calories from ultra-processed products, according to a study published in Public Health Nutrition. Experts are clear on the dangers of eating ultra-processed foods. Two large European studies published in The BMJ Journal found direct links between lengthened exposure to ultra-processed foods and heart disease deaths, poor mental health, obesity and diabetes. 

The National Department of Health (NdoH) has had almost two years to ratify the R3337 (formally referred to as the Draft Regulation Relating to Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs published by the South African National Department of Health on April 21, 2023). This set of regulations is aimed at introducing significant changes to how food products are labelled and advertised – particularly focusing on front-of-pack warning labels, marketing restrictions aimed at protecting children, and stricter guidelines for health-related claims.

South Africans have been waiting since the conclusion of the public consultation process on September 21, 2023. Time is up, our health is on a steady decline, and we are vulnerable to predatory food manufacturers that prioritise profit over the wellness of the masses.

HEALA will be embarking on roadshows in Gauteng, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal to raise awareness on the importance of font-of-package warning labels. We are inviting all South Africans to add their voice to the call for the National Department of Health (NdoH) to protect our health. Each day without these regulations is a denial of vulnerable consumers’ rights to know what they are putting in their bodies. 

“Some packaged foods put us at risk of dangerous, life-altering illnesses. South Africans have the right to understand the ingredients in the food they eat. For many consumers, back-of-pack labels are complicated and difficult to read, making it nearly impossible for people to choose healthier alternatives. Regulations will make it easier for us to readily identify foods that are bad for our health and choose better for ourselves. We urgently need easy-to-read warning labels that highlight the dangerous contents in some of these packaged foods,” urges HEALA CEO Nzama Mbalati. 

Sign petition at heala.org

Roadshow Dates

Pretoria, Gauteng: 6 and 7 August 2025

Atlyn Shopping Mall, Khoza St, Atteridgeville, 

Giyani Limpopo: 12 and 13 August 2025

Masingita Mall, Giyani

Durban, KZN: 18 and 19 August 2025

The Workshop, Durban CBD

– Ends – 

About HEALA: HEALA is a coalition of civil society organisations advocating for equitable access to affordable, nutritious food in South Africa by building a more just food system.

For media enquiries contact:

Mr. Neo Merafi: 071 359 9738 or Neo@maverickbrand.co.za