Philippines Adopts Codex Guidelines for Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) as Technical Regulation

On July 3, 2025, the Philippines FDA issued Circular No. 2025-003 regarding the adoption of Codex Guidelines for Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) as Technical Regulation, which sets limits on consumption and quality factors, purity requirements, food additives, contaminants, hygiene, labeling and methods of analysis sampling for RUTF.

1. Background

Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) are a cornerstone of community-based programs led by the Department of Health (DOH) and local government units to manage acute malnutrition in children. Previously, the absence of a local reference standard for RUTF posed challenges in verifying their safety and quality. The adoption of the Codex Guidelines (CXG-95-2022) addresses this gap, ensuring that RUTF distributed to children with severe acute malnutrition are safe and of high quality. This harmonization with international standards also aims to enhance the global market competitiveness of locally produced RUTF.

2. Application scope

This circular applies only to RUTF for children aged from 6 to 59 months with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), and shall not cover Ready-to-use Supplementary Foods (RUSF), micronutrient supplements, processed cereal-based foods, formulated complementary foods for older infants and young children, and canned baby foods.

3. General requirements

The Philippine FDA will automatically adopt the Codex Guidelines for RUTF (CXG 95-2022 Rev. 2023) and all subsequent revisions and amendments.

Furthermore, all food business operators engaged in the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, distribution, promotion, or advertising of RUTF must first obtain a License to Operate (LTO) before applying for a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR).

Additionally, these products must adhere to several other key domestic regulations, including: