BFAD’S REGULATORY FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE FOOD SAFETY

1. BFAD’S REGULATORY FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE FOOD SAFETY Adelisa C. Ramos Deputy Director Bureau of Food and Drugs Oscar G. Gutierrez, Jr. Food & Drug Regulation Officer IV Presented during the BPI-FAO Regional Workshop on Public Awareness and Participation in Biotechnology Regulation June 21-25, Manila Pearl Hotel

2. BFAD MANDATES ON FOOD SAFETY • R.A. 3720 (1963), Food, Drug & Medical • Devices and Cosmetic Act • established BFAD to regulate processed food • safeguard public health by ensuring safety and • quality of food products, among others • protect consumers from false, deceptive and • misleading information and health claims • ensure the scientific accuracy and soundness of all • product information conveyed to the public • guide and assist manufacturers, importers, • distributors and retailers of food products

3. R.A. 7394 (1992) Consumer Act of the Philippines protect consumers against hazards to health and safety, among others

4. BFAD Special Functions on Food Quality and Safety RA 8976 (2000), Food Fortification Law to help prevent micronutrient deficiencies by making available products fortified with vitamin A and iron, among others RA 8172 (1995), ASIN Law Salt Iodization Program EO 51 (1986), Milk Code provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants by protecting and promoting breastfeeding ensuring the proper use of milk supplements when these are necessary

5. Other Laws on Food Safety R.A. 8435, Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act established the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) sets and use of food standards in agriculture and fisheries products, among others R.A. 9269, Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines strengthening the meat inspection system in the country renaming of National Meat Inspection Commission to National Meat Inspection Service

6. BFAD FOOD CONTROL SYSTEM GOAL Assurance of Food Safety through an Effective Food Control System

7. Measures and Strategies to Ensure Food Safety 1. Adoption of risk-based system (CODEX), notification system, and import alert system 2. Implementation of updated GMP guidelines, HACCP-based quality assurance system and food standards 3. Comprehensive data base for registered products developed 4. Labeling for dietary food and food supplement 5. System for inspection and certification 6. Monitoring and surveillance, especially in retail outlets BFAD Food Control System

8. 7. Creation of Project Management Team Submission of Results and Recommendation on Situational Analysis Presentation for DOH EXECom Approval & ad hoc TWG for SPS/project mgmt group BFAD ManCom BFAD-Industry Partnership Forged through a Joint Committee • Dissemination • Advocacy to • Industries • ACT/REACT • capability • building • market • monitoring • standards • development • research • implementation • of regulatory • measures • develop guidelines/ regulations • novel food/ingredients • new technology • food labeling • SOP’s • codification • commodity standards • food additive/contaminants • dietary food/food supplements Sub-committee per food category/ Cluster organized Consensus on draft guidelines/ regulations

9. Philippine Government Policy on Modern Biotechnology (2001) “We shall promote the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology and its products as one of several means to achieve and sustain food security, equitable access to health services, sustainable and safe environment and industry development… “ GM Food Regulatory Framework in the Philippines

10. EO 430 (1990), creation of the National Committee onBiosafety of the Philippines ensures the responsible and safe application of modern biotechnology in agriculture, industry, environment and health composed of scientists and community representatives appointed by the President of the Philippines, and representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources

11. DA Administrative Order No. 8 (2002),Rules and Regulations on the Importation and Release Into the Environment of Plant and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology regulates the safety of GM products for propagation, direct use as food and feed or for processing

12. conducts food and feed safety assessment of GM crops per transformation event uses internationally accepted safety assessment guidelines, risk assessment & analysis principles and concept of substantial equivalence (WHO/FAO CODEX) maintains list of Philippine-approved transformation events for propagation, direct use or for processing as food and feeds Bureau of Plant Industry Plays a Central Regulatory Role in Implementation of AO No. 8

13. All GM crops (per transformation event) approved by BPI-DA for propagation, direct use or for food processing have passed food safety assessment and met food safety standards. BFAD accepts them as safe. Objective characteristics, such as nutritional and compositional qualities and intended use, of the GM processed foods, are critical in regulation and labeling, rather than the technology used to produce them. BFAD POLICIES ON GM FOODS