Many years ago, the Flavour and Fragrance Industry in South Africa formed an Association to take care of matters of common interest. Over recent years this grouping has grown in number and has become more proactive in its activities. This is very much in line with what is currently taking place within South Africa and the strong need to be part of the process of change.

The membership stands at around 50, and details of all Members can be found on this website.

The Association has two main Membership bands:

  • Full: Open to all manufacturers and suppliers of flavourings and/or fragrance compounds
  • Associate: Open to all suppliers of raw materials and other services to manufacturers and suppliers of flavourings and/or fragrance compounds

The Association either undertakes or initiates projects for the general improvement of the industry, its staff and its clients. These include:

  • Surveys
    • to establish the value of the market in various end product categories
    • to help ensure fair and correct salary and wage structures
  • Networking Evenings
  • Seminars
  • Training Workshops and Precise Short Training Courses (PSTC)
  • Lecturing
  • Maintaining a Code of Conduct for the Industry
  • Encouraging the local production of aromatic chemicals
  • Encouraging the local growing of herbs, spices and other plant material and their processing into added value material such as essential oils
  • Lobbying for the removal of unnecessary import duties
  • Newsletters

The South African Association of the Flavour & Fragrance Industry (SAAFFI) is a non profit public benefit organisation. By arranging seminars, the Association helps to ensure the spread of knowledge and the broadening of the skills' base within South Africa.

SAAFFI has developed the curriculum for a 1-year post graduate course that leads to a well-rounded BTec qualification in Flavours and Fragrances. This will be run by the University of Johannesburg from 2009. (Further details are on this website). The aims are:

  • Attract new blood into the Flavour & Fragrance Industry, and the industries it serves, especially from university students
  • Increase the knowledge of staff already employed in the Flavour & Fragrance Industry
  • Improve the understanding about flavours and fragrances within the food/ beverage and cosmetic/toiletry industries

Through regular Technical sub-committee meetings, Members of the Association keep up to date with what is happening at Codex Alimentarius and the SA Department of Health, the governmental body that has ultimate responsibility for this country’s food laws.

SAAFFI is a Member of IOFI and IFRA, the two international organisations that deal with many aspects of Flavours and Fragrances respectively, including that of safety, on a global level.

Within South Africa, SAAFFI maintains good working relations with other institutions and associations of related industries such as SAFFoST, CTFA, and Coschem. Links to several of these institutions are available on this site.

Food & Beverage Reporter is SAAFFI's official trade journal. A subscription to it is part of the SAAFFI membership and a link to the magazine is also available through this website.
The South African Association of the Flavour & Fragrance Industry