• South African children experience a double burden of malnutrition with the most recent data from the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey indicating that 28% of children under five are stunted and 23% are overweight. 
• This dramatic rise in overweight and obesity in young children is being fuelled by the overconsumption of ultraprocessed foods - low in nutrients and high in salt, sugar and fat. 
• In response, the National Department of Health has published draft Regulation R3337 which will introduce front of pack labels so that consumers can see at a glance if foods are too high in salt, sugar and fat, and when the regulations come into affect these foods will no longer be marketed to children. 

For more information, see:

1. How Big Food is stalking our children
2. The Children’s Institute’s submission on Regulation R3337
3. The 2020 South African Child Gauge on Food and Nutrition Security