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On August 5, 2024, the Philippine Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) announced the draft of general labeling standards for primary and postharvest foods. The draft standard outlines the scope of application, terminology and definitions, general requirements, mandatory and optional information elements on labels, specific labeling requirements, and exemptions. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the draft until September 4, 2024.
1. Applicable scope
This proposed standard, based on existing Codex Standards, establishes the minimum labeling requirements for primary and postharvest foods in both retail and non-retail containers. It also applies to foods that have undergone specific handling processes, such as organic production and irradiation.
2. Terms and definitions
Primary food refers to food obtained directly from the primary production stage of the food supply chain. Primary production includes activities such as harvesting, milking, and the rearing or growing of farmed animals up to the point of slaughter, as well as the cultivation and harvesting of fish and other seafoods in aquaculture environments. It also encompasses fishing, hunting, and the capture of wild products.
Postharvest food refers to food obtained from postharvest stages of the food supply chain. Postharvest processes involve minimal transformation of plant and animal foods following primary production. Examples include the removal of field heat from fruits; the slaughtering of animals; sorting, grading, and cutting of fresh produce and meat; icing and freezing, as well as the milling and storage of grains.
3. General requirements
Prepackaged food must not be described or presented on any label in a manner that is false, misleading, deceptive, or likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its nature in any respect.
Labeling requirements for non-retail containers of foods must be clearly distinguished from those for prepackaged foods. Non-retail containers shall be clearly identifiable as such.
4. Language requirements
All information on the label must be provided in either English or Filipino, or a combination of both. For imported food products, labels containing information in a foreign language must include a corresponding English translation. If the language on the original label is not acceptable to the intended consumer, the competent authority, or the food business in the country where the product is sold, the mandatory information must be provided as follows:
a. For retail containers, a supplementary label with the mandatory information may be used instead of relabeling.
b. For non-retail containers, the mandatory information may be provided through relabeling, a supplementary label, accompanying documents, or other means that comply with the requirements of the country where the product is sold.
In cases of relabeling or supplementary labeling, the mandatory information provided must fully and accurately reflect the original label. If existing labels are exhausted, the competent authority may allow the use of a supplementary label for English or Filipino translations for a maximum period of six months. All information must be accurate, legible, and contained on a single supplementary label, which should be durable and not easily removed from the packaging.
5. Mandatory labeling items
For primary and postharvest foods, the following labeling items are mandatory:
Name of the food
List of ingredients
Food allergen information
Net contents and drained weight
Name and address
Place of origin
Lot identification
Date marking and storage instructions
Instructions for use
Identification of non-retail container of the food
Exemptions are allowed for small units where the largest surface area is less than 10 cm², such as spices and herbs. These units may be exempted from including the list of ingredients, lot identification, date marking, and instructions for use.
Additionally, information on irradiated foods, halal foods, and organic foods should be indicated when applicable.
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