Code of Conduct

Members of the South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) are required to adhere to the following Professional Code of Conduct in order to uphold the dignity, standing and reputation of their profession.

• Have due regard to public safety, public health and well-being
• Act in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• Discharge their duties to their employer or client in an efficient manner and with integrity, especially when the information supplied will be used to inform the public on matters of health, nutrition and food safety
• Not undertake professional scientific or technological work of such a nature that their education, experience or background has not rendered them competent to perform
• Maintain proprietary information in confidence or obtain prior approval of the owner before disclosing such information to third parties
• Report all research properly and accurately
• Acknowledge the work and publications of others, properly and accurately
• Maintain objectivity when reviewing scientific work, publications or journals
• Treat all colleagues and co-workers with respect, regardless of the individual’s race, sex, national origin, religion, marital status, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation
• Avoid conflicts of interest and if unavoidable, disclose to their client in writing, any substantial interest they may have in any company, firm or person carrying on any contracting, consulting work or manufacturing business which is or may be related to the work for which they are employed, as well as particulars of any royalty accruing to them from any articles or process used in or for the purpose of the work in respect of which they are employed
• Subject to the rule above, not receive, either directly or indirectly, any gratuity, commission or other financial benefit in respect of any article or process used in or for the purpose of the work in respect of which they are employed, unless such gratuity, commission or other financial benefit has been authorised, in writing, by their employer or client
• Not maliciously or recklessly injure, either directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects or business of any other food scientist or technologist
• Not knowingly attempt to supplant another food scientist or technologist in a particular engagement after a formal offer has been made to employ the individual
• Not advertise their professional services in a self-laudatory manner or one that will demean the profession
• Not misrepresent or permit misrepresentation of their own or their associates’ academic or professional qualifications nor exaggerate their degree of responsibility for work of a professional nature
• Not, without satisfactory reason, destroy calculations or documentary or other evidence required for the verification of their work
• Neither personally, nor through any other agency, attempt to obtain consulting work by way of touting or bribery
• Order their conduct in connection with scientific or technological work outside the Republic of South Africa in accordance with these rules in so far as they are not inconsistent with the law of the country concerned: provided that where there are recognised standards of professional conduct in a country outside the Republic, they shall also adhere to those standards