On 18 November 2024, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consultation paper with a comment period ending on 9 December 2024 on the proposed rules and regulations for the licensing of food businesses and registration of processed food businesses. Key Elements:
(1) Objective. Process and requirements for food business licensing and processed food registration;
(2) Scope and definitions;
(3) Licensing Guidelines. Permits are required for engaging in food production and processing, import and export, sales, etc.; all businesses should comply with Good Hygiene Practice (GHP) or Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Good Distribution and Storage Practice (GDSP), and HACCP principles; both local and importing businesses are required to submit online, through an electronic system, the following: name of the source of the product, address, and a list of the product; special Food (food with fortified ingredients, iodised salt, etc.) to comply with the requirements of the import regulations (sampling and testing or provide test results and other necessary requirements); salt importers for the already licensed, imported without the need to apply for other permits, but the product should be monitored and tested; application for licensing process, etc.;
(4) Guidelines for registration of processed foods. Medium and high-risk imported foods (infant formula, milk powder supplements, foods for infants and young children, foods for special medical purposes, foods for special dietary uses, bottled water, etc.) shall have the appropriate certificates of analyses uploaded in the electronic system of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the products shall comply with the chemical and microbiological parameters as well as the nutritional requirements as stipulated in the existing Codex standards, the National Standards of the Philippines (NSSP), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and the foreign agency agreement or contract; GMP certificate or equivalent; phytosanitary certificate or health certificate; ISO 22000 certificate or HACCP certificate; certificate of free distribution issued by the competent authority, etc.