Do You have CANSA’s Seal of Approval?

#That’s a Cheek 1:

Before you think we are being a bit forward, (you certainly don’t need us to approve of you), we’d like to remind you of our wonderful CANSA Smart Seal of Recognition (CSOR) programme and encourage you to spread awareness of it.

#That’s a Cheek 2:

But before you find out more about our CSOR programme, could you please NOT look further down this email and first complete our CSOR Survey… - we know, we may be asking more than you are willing to give, but… it’s SUPER short and the aim is to assess the current awareness of the public about this programme.

If you participated in the survey, thanks so much for your feedback – it will help us be more sensitive to the needs of consumers and potential Seal partners in the future!

No more cheekiness now, on to the wonderful programme we were mentioning earlier.

Why a CANSA Seal of Recognition?

The CANSA Smart Choice Seal of Recognition is part of CANSA’s ongoing effort to reduce the public’s exposure to carcinogens and other cancer risk factors.

Through this programme, CANSA promotes a smart, balanced lifestyle by placing its Seal of Recognition logo on products that support healthier, informed choices by consumers, which help lower personal cancer risk.

The CANSA Seal of Recognition is awarded across five categories:

• Protection: Products that reduce exposure to environmental carcinogens, particularly UV radiation. View products…
• Edible Consumer Goods: Food and beverages that support cancer risk reduction through healthier nutritional profiles. View products…
• Non-Edible Consumer Goods: Everyday products that minimise exposure to harmful chemicals. View products…
• Patient Care Products: Products designed to support individuals undergoing treatment or managing health conditions. View products…
• Physical Activity Programmes: organisations, exercise programmes, and equipment / products that support the recommended physical activity guidelines. View more…

CANSA Seal of Recognition partners displaying the Seal on their product packaging and promotional material benefit by:

• Building consumer trust
• Strengthened brand reputation
• Customers seeing a tangible demonstration of commitment to health-conscious products
• Provision of a competitive advantage in the market

Visit the CSOR page for information regarding the credibility of the Seal, further benefits to Seal-bearing clients and criteria per Seal category.

We invite you to become a Seal partner if you wish to help lower cancer risk:

Meet Our Most Recent Seal of Recognition Partner

B-Well Mayonnaise is the first mayonnaise to be awarded the CANSA Seal of Recognition.

The endorsement applies to B-Well Original Tangy Canola Mayonnaise and B-Well Thick & Creamy Canola Mayonnaise.

The products are manufactured by Southern Oil, a 30-year strong South African producer of canola and other plant-based oils, under its B-Well brand. This expands the range of B-Well products already carrying the CANSA Smart Choice Seal, which includes several canola seed oils and cooking sprays.

Foods in the ‘Oils and Fats category’ are assessed according to specific nutritional criteria, including fat composition and sodium levels. Canola oil is naturally lower in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids, which is why it is often recommended as part of a balanced diet.

In the case of the endorsed B-Well products, CANSA’s assessment considered several nutritional factors. The mayonnaise contains a favourable omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio; and the products qualify for a ‘high in omega-3’ claim based on their nutritional composition. In addition, the sodium levels fall within the limits recommended for front-of-pack labelling stipulated by the Draft regulations in the ‘Oils and Fats category’.

Recent public discussions about sugar content in certain foods like mayonnaises have also been noted. However, CANSA confirms that sugar levels are not included as part of the evaluation criteria for mayonnaise products assessed within the ‘Oils and Fats category’ of the Smart Choice Seal programme. The reason being is that the B-Well mayonnaises contain between 0.48 g- 1.3g of total sugar in a 10g serving (2 teaspoons), so if one keeps within the recommendations of two teaspoons or even four teaspoons at one sitting, the amount of sugar is negligible, and the glycaemic index will still be low, hence not spiking blood sugar levels. Read more…

Keep an Eye Out

Keep an eye out for our CANSA Seal of Recognition logo on products when you shop, and if you suspect there are any pretenders out there who are displaying it, please report it directly to info@cansa.org.za – the Seal is only awarded to products that have been independently tested in laboratories and which comply with the National Standards (SANS) or similar International Standards (ISO), as well as the stringent evidence-based requirements for each category as set out by CANSA.

Here’s to informed shopping that will help lower your personal cancer risk!

If you found  this informative, please consider inviting a contact to subscribe to receive regular updates regarding CANSA’s services, advocacy, and health campaigns. Or forward this email to a friend.

Did You Know?
Your donations enable free services, for example, CANSA Tele and Virtual counselling in most SA languages by trained counsellors, support groups (face-to-face; WhatsApp and FBK); guidance from our Clinical Nurses regarding coping with the side effects of cancer, cancer treatment, dietary tips, stoma care and pain management – enquire at info@cansa.org.za; our Advocacy department assists patients experiencing stock shortages, delays in screening and cancer treatment, and lack of access to appropriate pain management medications; transport to and from cancer treatment centres is provided to our cancer patients staying at CANSA Care Homes, who would otherwise live too far away to receive treatment. Children and teens with cancer and their parents / guardians stay at our CANSA TLC Lodges for free during treatment. Our two TLC wig banks for children / teens provide free wigs to those in need.