Philippines Enacts First Food Safety Law

August 28th 2013 was a major milestone for the Philippines Food Industry which witnessed the enactment of the country’s first ever Food Safety Law after Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III rubber stamped the new law. The law which was approved last year has been highly anticipated and is the first comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting consumer health and facilitating market access of local foods and food products. House Bill 6474 creates the Food Safety Regulation Coordinating Board and will be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The board is tasked with developing regulatory policies and protocols and serves as the primary administrative institution and intermediary between the relevant competent authorities; the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The Food Safety Law (Act No. 10611) is composed of eight chapters divided into 42 articles concerning food production, sale, and clarifies issues relating to sanitation and hygiene, emergency response measures and crisis management, traceability and the quality and safety of imported and exported foodstuffs. More specifically imported foodstuffs must be produced according to IS09000 and IS014000. Additionally food additives, non-alcoholic beverages and mixtures, confectionery, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, meat must comply with the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the OIE standards. Fresh and frozen fish products must comply with the relevant standards under the purview of the Philippines Ministry of Agriculture and obtain supporting certification. The Philippines inspection and quarantine departments advise foreign industry to adopt a threefold compliance strategy. Firstly to stay abreast of any amendments to the Philippines food safety law, second to strengthen communication with relevant authorities and stakeholders in the Philippines and finally to ensure that the production of imported foods is in accordance with the standards mandated for exported foods produced by indigenous enterprise. For more information on the specifics of Act 10611 contact info@chemlinked.com