G/TBT/N/PHL/254  
8 June 2021  
(21-4653) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  PHILIPPINES   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
MS. PILAR MARILYN M. PAGAYUNAN  
Director IV  
Center for Food Regulation and Research (CFRR)  
Food and Drug Administration  
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH  
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers , email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority desi gnated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:   
MS. RONITA YASOÑA  
Center for Food Regulation and Research (CFRR)  
Food and Drug Administration  
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH  
Email: mrsyasona@fda.gov.ph ; jrtcaban@fda.gov.ph  
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Processed 
Food Products; PREPARATIONS OF MEAT, OF FISH OR OF CRUSTACEANS, MOLLUSCS OR 
OTHER AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES (HS 16); SUGARS AND SUGAR CONFECTIONERY (HS 
17); COCOA AND COCOA P REPARATIONS (HS 18); PREPARATIONS OF VEGETABLES, 
FRUIT, NUTS OR OTHER PARTS OF PLANTS (HS 20); MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE 
PREPARATIONS (HS 21); BEVERAGES, SPIRITS AND VINEGAR (HS 22)  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Updated 
Guidelines for the Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Processed Food Products 
Repealing FDA Circular No 2013 -010 "Revised Guidelines for the Assessment of 
Microbiological Quality of Processed Foods" (24 page(s), in English)  
6. Description of content:  The draft Circular aims to provide updated guidelines for the 
assessment of microbiological quality of certain processed food products and help ensure 
that food manufacturers comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).   This Circular 
covers food establ ishments engaged in the manufacture, trade, repacking, wholesale, 
importation and distribution of processed food products.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Consumer information, labelling; Prevention of  deceptive practices and 
consumer protection; Protection of human health or safety; Quality requirements  G/TBT/N/PHL/254  
 
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  8. Relevant documents:   
• Republic Act 10611 - Food Safety Act of 2013  
• Republic Act 9711 - Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009   
9. Proposed date of adoption:  15 days after filing at the UP Law Center and publication 
in newspaper of general circulation and upon acknowledgement of receipt of a copy hereof 
by the Office of the National Administrative Register.  
Proposed date of entry into  force:  15 days after filing at the UP Law Center and 
publication in newspaper of general circulation and upon acknowledgement of receipt of 
a copy hereof by the Office of the National Administrative Register.  
10. Final date for comments:  60 days from not ification  
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
Mr. Neil P. Catajay  
Director  
Bureau of Philippine Standards  
Department of Trade and Industry  
3F Trade and Industry Building  
361 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue  
Makati City  
Philippines  
1200  
(632) 751 4700; (632) 7913128  
bps@dti.gov.ph  
http://www.bps.dti.gov.ph  
Head of O rganization  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/TBT/PHL/21_3930_00_e.pdf