1. Classification
Meat refers to the fresh, chilled or frozen edible part of carcass, including offal derived from, but not limited to cattle, buffalo, pig, poultry, goat, sheep, horse, and other food animals under Philippines laws, but excluding marine animals and prohibited animals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES);
Meat product refers to meat, which has been subjected to physical change and/or treatment such as cooking, drying, salting, brining or smoking.
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 as well as all health services and products regulations. |
Philippines Food and Drug Administration (PFDA) | PFDA is a health regulatory agency under DOH responsible for licensing, monitoring, and regulating of foods, including processed meat products, 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, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) prescribes quality standards for the manufacture, importation, labeling, advertising, distribution and sale of livestock, poultry, meat products, dairy products, animal feeds and veterinary supplies. |
National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) | NMIS is the country's sole national controlling and competent authority on all matters pertaining to meat inspection and hygiene for both locally produced and imported meat. |
3. Market access approval
3.1 Processed meat products
When importing processed meat products, same as other processed foods, importers must register for the License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) prior to importation. The LTO application procedure and requirements can be found at Guidelines on the Unified Licensing Requirements and Procedures of the Food and Drug Administration. 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.
3.2 Unprocessed meat products
When importing unprocessed meat products, only certain products from permitted countries can be exported into the Philippines. The latest list of accredited countries can be found at here. Besides, importers must register with NMIS and obtain the Licenses to Import (LTI) before importation. The latest list of valid LTI as meat importers can be found here.
In addition, accredited importers are required to obtain a Veterinary Quarantine Clearance (VQC) /Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Clearance from BAI prior to importation. Details of VQC/SPS Clearance application can be found at Revised Rules, Regulations, and Standards Governing the Importation of Meat and Meat Products into the Philippines. Upon arrival, each shipment will undergo veterinary quarantine documentation and meat inspection，and need to obtain a Veterinary Quarantine and Meat Inspection and Laboratory Certificate (VQMILC) from Veterinary Quarantine Officer (VQO) for customs processing.
4. Product compliance
4.1 Product requirements
Items | Requirements |
Food additives | Shall comply with relevant provisions in Updated List of Food Additives. Meat products are fall in the list with category numbers 08.0 - 08.4. |
Microbiological requirements | Shall comply with relevant provisions in Table 10 Meat and Meat 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
General Guidelines on Labeling of Meat and Meat Products also provides guidelines on the labeling of meat and meat products, covering general features, parts of the label, mandatory labeling information, as well as other labeling information.
Besides, Section VII of Revised Rules, Regulations, and Standards Governing the Importation of Meat and Meat Products into the Philippines sets forth additional packing and labelling requirements.
* Global Food Compliance Service
We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.
Covered Countries
China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand etc.
Our Services
Food Ingredient Review
Label Review
Product Registration
Regulatory Consultation
Monitoring, Training and customized report
Please feel free to contact us via food@chemlinked.com if you need any help.
