Policy Brief: South Africa’s food-based dietary guidelines are due for an update: recommendations to meet health and climate goals
South Africa’s Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) have not been updated since 2012 and require revision to better address today’s health and environmental challenges.
This policy brief examines the current guidelines and highlights opportunities to strengthen their alignment with contemporary evidence on nutrition, sustainability, and public health. It recommends a greater emphasis on plant-rich dietary patterns, more inclusive food groups, guidance on healthy plant-based alternatives, stronger consideration of environmental sustainability, and improved management of conflicts of interest in guideline development. By modernising the FBDGs, South Africa can better support both human and planetary health.
PAN South Africa Annual Review 2025
The Physicians Association for Nutrition South Africa’s 2025 Annual Review highlights a year of growth, education, and advocacy in advancing evidence-based nutrition across South Africa and beyond. From expanding healthcare professional education and university engagement to advancing research and national outreach, the review captures key milestones that shaped the year.
Explore how PAN South Africa continues to champion healthier, more sustainable food systems, and the role nutrition can play in transforming healthcare.
Food-based dietary guidelines in Africa and their inclusivity of plant-based dietary patterns
We’re proud to announce that a new peer-reviewed study led by PAN South Africa, titled “Food-based dietary guidelines in Africa and their inclusivity of plant-based dietary patterns”, was published on 11 August 2025 in the special issue of the South African Journal of Science (SAJS).
PAN South Africa Annual Review 2024
Discover how PAN South Africa advanced nutrition in healthcare during 2024 through groundbreaking research, education for healthcare professionals, and national health advocacy. The PAN South Africa Annual Review 2024 was published on 13 May 2025 on the PAN South Africa official website.
Plant-based food interventions in hospitals and their co-benefits: A scoping review
Find out how hospitals worldwide are embracing plant-forward nutrition to promote better health in patients and sustainability. This groundbreaking scoping review by researchers from PAN South Africa and North-West University was accepted at the International Hospital Federation World Hospital Congress 2024.
PAN South Africa Annual Review 2023
Discover how PAN South Africa made strides in 2023, advancing plant-based nutrition through research, education, and community outreach to amplify our mission. The PAN South Africa Annual Review 2023 was published on 17 February 2025 and is available on the PAN South Africa official website.
Recommendations to address the shortfalls of the EAT–Lancet planetary health diet from a plant-forward perspective
A peer-reviewed study co-authored by PAN South Africa, titled “Recommendations to address the shortfalls of the EAT–Lancet planetary health diet from a plant-forward perspective”, was published in January 2025 in The Lancet Planetary Health.
A plant-based dietary approach to the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Africa
We are pleased to announce our first research study led by PAN South Africa, titled “A plant-based dietary approach to the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Africa: short communication of a multiple-case study”, published on 24 January 2024 in the South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition (SAJCN).
What do South African Health Science Students Know About Plant-based Nutrition?
Over 170 medical and dietetic students across South Africa shared their insights on plant-based nutrition - what they know, how they feel, and where they need more education. Read the full report for detailed survey insights found on the PAN South Africa official website.