Food Regulatory Agencies in the Philippines

1. FOOD REGULATORY
AGENCIES
MAYETH G. NAVASCA
MSFS-Student
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2. The agencies under the DA with food safety regulatory functions are
the following:
a. Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), for food derived from animals
including eggs and honey production
b. National Dairy Authority (NDA), for milk production and post
harvest handling
c. National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), for meats
d. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), for fresh fish and
other sea foods including those grown by aquaculture
e. Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), for plant foods
f. Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), for pesticides and fertilizers
used in the production of plant and animal food
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Aquino, A. et.al (2014). Republic Act No. 10611 Strengthening the Philippine Food Safety Regulatory 2014 System.

3. g. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), for fresh coconut
h. Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), for sugar cane
production and marketing
i. National Food Authority (NFA), for rice, corn and other grains
j. Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards
(BAFPS) shall develop food safety standards including those
for organic agriculture (Section 16)
In addition, oversight functions for the Food Safety Act shall be
assigned to the Undersecretary for Policy and Planning, R&D
and Regulations (Section 17)
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Aquino, A. et.al (2014). Republic Act No. 10611 Strengthening the Philippine Food Safety Regulatory 2014 System.

4. Department of Health
The DOH shall be responsible for the safety of processed and
prepackaged foods, foods locally produced or imported under
this category and the conduct of monitoring and
epidemiological studies on food-borne illness (Section 15.b)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the regulatory
authority under the Philippine Department of Health (DOH)
that implements the FDA Law.
Specifically, the FDA Center for Food Regulation and Research
(CFRR) shall be responsible for implementing a performance-
based food safety control management system (Section 18b.b)
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Aquino, A. et.al (2014). Republic Act No. 10611 Strengthening the Philippine Food Safety Regulatory 2014 System.

5. The CFRR is tasked with regulating the manufacture,
importation, exportation, distribution, sale, offer for sale,
transfer, promotion, advertisement, sponsorship of and/or,
where appropriate, the use and testing of food products and
food/dietary supplements. The CFRR is also mandated to
conduct research on the safety, efficacy and quality of food, and
to institute standards relating to food safety and quality.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is primarily tasked
with implementing the Consumer Act. is dedicated to protecting
consumers’ rights and interests. It is a government agency
responsible for establishing policies and programs intended at
supporting the Philippine economy’s growth and development.
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Aquino, A. et.al (2014). Republic Act No. 10611 Strengthening the Philippine Food Safety Regulatory 2014 System.

6. The DTI Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) formulates
Philippine National Standards for consumer products,
including food.
To ensure that product quality standards are complied with,
among others, the FDA requires entities that manufacture,
import, export, sell and distribute food products to obtain a
License to Operate ("LTO") from the FDA for their intended
activities. These entities also require a Certificate of Product
Registration ("CPR") for each food product that they
manufacture, import, export and market in the Philippines.
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Aquino, A. et.al (2014). Republic Act No. 10611 Strengthening the Philippine Food Safety Regulatory 2014 System.

7. An LTO covering a particular food establishment shall be prima
facie evidence of the licensee's authority to engage in the
activity/ies specified in the LTO. A CPR covering a food product shall
be prima facie evidence of the registrant's marketing authority for
the said health product in connection with the activity/ies
permitted pursuant to the LTO. Only establishments with a valid
LTO from the FDA may apply for a CPR.
Bureau of Qurantine (BOQ) shall provide sanitation and ensure
food safety in its area of responsibility in both domestic and
international ports and airports of entry, including in-flight
catering, food service establishments, sea vessels and aircraft
(Section 18.c).
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Aquino, A. et.al (2014). Republic Act No. 10611 Strengthening the Philippine Food Safety Regulatory 2014 System.

8. National Epidemiology
Center (NEC)
Research Institute of
Tropical Medicine (RITM)
National Center for
Disease prevention and
Control (NCDPC)
Shall conduct and
document epidemological
monitoring studies on
food borne illnesses for
use in risk-based policy
formulation
The National Center for Health Promotion (NCHP) shall be
responsible for advocating food safety awareness, information
and education to the public (Section 18e).
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Aquino, A. et.al (2014). Republic Act No. 10611 Strengthening the Philippine Food Safety Regulatory 2014 System.

9. Insights
1 Corinthians 14:40
But all things should be done decently and in order.
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• There are numerous food regulating authorities with specific
responsibilities.
• Food regulatory agencies work hand in hand collaboratively to ensure food
safety and food security.

10. References:
Mckenzie, B.(2022)Food product and safety regulation. Retrieved from
https://resourcehub.bakermckenzie.com/en/resources/asia-pacific-food-
law-guide/asia-pacific/philippines/topics/food-product-and-safety-regulation
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)(2022) retrieved from
https://www.outsourceaccelerator.com/glossary/department-of-trade-and-
industry-dti/
Aquino, A. et.al (2014). Republic Act No. 10611 Strengthening the Philippine
Food Safety Regulatory 2014 System. Retrieved from
https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/650#:~:text=The%20agencies%20under%20the
%20DA,National%20Meat%20Inspection%20Service%20(NMIS
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