Request a Demo1. Definition
The Philippines defines processed food as food that has been subjected to some degree of processing, like milling, drying, concentrating, canning, and addition of some ingredients which partially or completely changes the physicochemical and/or sensory characteristics of the food's raw material.
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 management of all health services and products. |
Philippines Food and Drug Administration (PFDA) | PFDA is a health regulatory agency under DOH responsible for the 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. |
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 Revised 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. The CPR application procedure can be found at Procedure for the Use of the Modified Electronic Registration System for Raw Materials and Prepackaged Processed Food Products.
4. Product compliance
4.1 Product requirements
All processed food products shall comply with the relevant applicable quality and safety standards.
Items | Requirements |
Comprehensive requirements | |
Food quality requirements |
|
Food additives | |
Maximum limits of microbial contamination | |
Maximum limits of other contaminations |
|
4.2 Label
The labelling of prepacked processed foods 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
Nutrition labelling (nutrition facts)
Expiration date/use by date/consume before date
Lot identification code
Allergen information (when applicable)
Storage instruction/use instruction (when applicable)
Country of origin (for imported products only)
English translation if foreign language is used
For a small part of products such as bottled water, processed meat, and infant formula, special labeling contents are required.
For the use of nutrition and health claims in food labeling and advertisement of processed products, please refer to relevant provisions stated in Guidelines in the Use of Nutrition and Health Claims in Food.
Recommened resources:
Online course: Focus on Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea: Food Compliance and Import Procedure Interpretation, Session 2 Indonesia
* 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.
