Vitafoods Africa conference to address ACA, CPA issues

Africa and the Middle East represent the fastest growing market segment in the global nutraceutical landscape. Locally, the consumption of health goods and medical services constitutes a growing market of some 48-million users, owing to improved health awareness and accessibility to healthcare facilities.

However, understanding the latest trends and recent regulatory, economic and technological developments is critical in order to capitalise fully upon all business prospects available. Effective and compliant sales and marketing strategies are a key focus for the 2014 event.

Overcoming legal challenges

Howard Snoyman, Group Legal Executive at Ascendis Health and a Member of the World Association for Medical Law, will be sharing his expert views on the nutraceutical environment, in light of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Consumer Protection Act (CPA.)

His presentation is specific to overcoming legal challenges, when it comes to succeeding within this lucrative, highly competitive and regulated terrain.

Snoyman says, "The ASA is a private company and not a regulatory council. It was not constituted in terms of any empowering legislation and therefore, does not derive any power from an Act of Parliament. Individual companies are not members of the ASA, with membership largely consisting of industry-accredited bodies.

"Thus, if an advertiser is a member of an industry body, which is itself a member of the ASA, then such an advertiser is 'implicitly' bound to the ASA Code. Advertisers that comply with ASA demands, clothe the ASA with authority, in respect of jurisdiction over their advertising.

"One ignores the ASA, its jurisdiction and rulings, at ones own peril. Ensure that one deals with any matter proactively (but this does not necessarily mean that one ought to submit to the ASA's jurisdiction.) Take a calculated view based on every individual complaint that may be processed.

"Conversely, remember the ASA has the power to sanction repeat offenders. For example, to direct the respondent (advertiser) to submit all future advertising to the ASA Advisory Service, at the cost of the respondent, prior to the publication thereof. Therefore, do not allow one's business to accumulate adverse rulings against it.

The conference is the ideal platform and meeting place for industry experts, practitioners, analysts and suppliers of ingredients and raw materials. To register, email az.oc.rii@snoitartsiger or go to www.vitafoodsafrica.co.za.