A must-read editorial by Dr Leon Van Eck (left), a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Genetics (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences) at Stellenbosch University. He recently won first prize in the prestigious 2013 Young Science Communicators Competition, administered by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement.

Sanity has prevailed... Gauteng Economic Development MEC, Nkosiphendule Kolisile, has withdrawn the widely-criticised proposal to prohibit the sale of alcohol on Sundays in the province, a move that has been welcomed by South Africa’s leading premium alcohol beverage company, Brandhouse Beverages.

Peppadew International is set to expand the presence of its Peppadew brand and drive growth in the pickle category with the launch of an innovative new range of products featuring Pickled Onions, Jalapeno slices and Jalapeno halves under the Peppadew brand name.

South Africa’s black middle class has more than doubled over the last eight years according to new research by the UCT Unilever Institute of Strategic Marketing. Growing from 1.7 million South Africans in 2004 to an estimated 4.2 million in 2012, the black middle class now exceeds the number of white people in the same income bracket.

Burger King, the world’s second largest hamburger chain, will open up its first South African branch today at midday, on Heerengracht Street in Cape Town. The first 1000 customers through the door will receive a free Whopper, according to the chain.

Ishida technology and expertise has enabled Fruits du Sud, a South African producer of high quality raisins, to grow its business by 130% per annum over the past two years.

Yet more M&A activity in SA's food ingredients sector... Israel's fast-track flavour group, Frutarom Industries, has announced it has signed a deal for the acquisition of the Jo-burg-based flavour company, JannDeRee.

Popular supermarkets including Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Woolworths, Spar and Fruit & Veg have responded to a City Press report that identified them as stocking incorrectly labelled meat products, largely blaming cross-contamination.