1. Classification
As per Administrative Order No. 2014-0029 (Rules and Regulations on the Licensing of Food Establishments and Registration of Processed Food, and the Other Food Products, and for Other Purposes), the Philippines adopts risk-based classification of food products, which influences the authorization process and priority of inspection. The classification of dairy products are as follows:
Dairy products classified as medium-risk foods:
1. Condensed milk and analogues (plain) (evaporated/reconstituted milk)
2. Milk powder, cream powder, and powder analogues (plain)
Dairy products as classified high-risk foods:
1. Milk and dairy-based drinks
2. Fermented and renneted milk products (plain)
3. Cream (plain) and analogs
4. Cheese and analogs
5. Dairy-based desserts (e.g. pudding, fruit or flavored yogurt)
6. Whey and whey products, excluding whey cheeses
7. Milk for manufacture
8. Dairy-based frozen desserts (e.g. ice cream)
2. Competent authority
Competent authority | Responsibility |
Department of Health (DOH) | DOH is the executive department of the government of the Philippines responsible for ensuring all Filipinos' access to basic public health services through the provision of quality health care, and the regulation of all health services and products. |
Philippines Food and Drug Administration (PFDA) | PFDA is a health regulatory agency under DOH responsible for licensing, monitoring, and regulating of cosmetics, drugs, foods, household hazardous products, medical devices and electromagnetic radiation emitting devices, pesticides, tobacco and related products, as well as vaccines for their safety, efficacy, and quality in the Philippines. |
Department of Agriculture (DOA) | DOA is responsible for the development and growth of agricultural and fisheries. Under DOA, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is empowered to prescribe quality standards for the manufacture, importation, labeling, advertising, distribution, and sale of livestock, poultry products, meat products, dairy products, certain animal feed premixes as well as veterinary supplies in the Philippines. |
National Dairy Authority (NDA) | NDA aims to improve the productivity and profitability of the dairy industry in the Philippines, by providing various services including milk testing and registration. |
3. Market access approval
3.1 License to Operate (LTO)
Under Administrative Order No.2014-0029 Rules and Regulations on the Licensing of Food Establishments and Registration of Processed Food, and Other Food Products, and For Other Purposes, companies involved in the importation, exportation, trading, and distribution of processed food in the Philippines need to obtain a License to Operate (LTO). The LTO application procedure and requirements can be found at Guidelines on the Unified Licensing Requirements and Procedures of the Food and Drug Administration.
3.2 Certificate of Product Registration (CPR)
Under Administrative Order No.2014-0029 Rules and Regulations on the Licensing of Food Establishments and Registration of Processed Food, and Other Food Products, and For Other Purposes, all processed food products including food additives, food supplements and bottled water are required to secure a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) before they are put on the market, offered for sale or use, distributed or supplied. Notably, when applying for CPR for food supplements, a sample in actual commercial presentation shall be submitted. The CPR application procedure can be found at FDA Circular No. 2016-014 Procedure for the Use of Electronic Registration (E-Registration) System for Prepackaged Processed Food Products.
3.3 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC)
When importing unprocessed dairy products, importers are required to obtain a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from BAI prior to importation as an import permit. An SPSIC is generally valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. SPSIC can be applied though the online system.
4. Product compliance
4.1 Product requirements
Items | Requirements |
Product standards | For milk and dairy products for infants and young children, please refer to National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Breastmilk Supplement and Other Related Products (The Milk Code); For cheese and cheese products, please refer to Regulation B-4 Definitions & Standards of Identity for Foods. B-4.5. Cheese and cheese Products; For multiple milk and dairy products, please refer to Regulation Prescribing the Standards of Identity and Quality of Milk and Milk Products. |
Food additives | Shall comply with relevant provisions in Updated List of Food Additives. Dairy products are fall in the list with category numbers 01.0 - 01.8. |
Microbiological requirements | Shall comply with relevant provisions in Table 1 Milk and Dairy Products of Guidelines on the Microbiological Requirements and Assessment of Certain Prepackaged Processed Food Products. |
Food contaminants | Shall comply with General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed and relevant Codex standards. |
Veterinary drug residues | Shall comply with relevant provisions in Veterinary Drug Residues in Food: Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). |
4.2 Label
The labelling of prepacked foods, including dairy products, is regulated by Administrative Order No. 2014-0030 (The Rules and Regulations Governing the Labeling of Prepackaged Food Products Distributed in the Philippines). Mandatory labeling items include:
Brand name;
Product name;
List of ingredients, including the common name and function of food additives;
Net weight;
Complete name and address of manufacturer, packer, distributor, trader or importer. For imported products, the country of origin should be declared;
Nutrition labelling (nutrition facts);
Expiration date/use by date/consume before date;
Lot identification code;
Allergen information as applicable;
Storage instruction/use instruction, as applicable;
Country of origin (for imported products only);
English translation if foreign language is used.
For the use of nutrition and health claims in food labeling and the advertisement of processed dairy products, please comply with relevant provisions stated in Guidelines in the Use of Nutrition and Health Claims in Food.
Recommended resources:
Webinar: Importing and Distributing Dairy Products in the Philippines: Overview and a Step-by-Step Guide
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