Memorandum Circular  
No. _____________  
Series of 2020  
 
 
Subject  :  Food Safety Measures for Rice  
 
 
Pursuant to the Food Safety Act of 2013 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations of 2015, 
the following limits for contaminants and toxins adopted from applicable Philippine National 
Standard (PNS),  Codex Alimentarius Commission, ASEAN database and regul atory limits for 
paddy and rice, are hereby made mandatory.  
 
I. Mandatory Standards and Code of Practice  
 
A. Maximum level (ML) of heavy metals in rice  
  Commodity/ 
Product 
Name  Heavy 
Metals  Maximum 
Level (ML) 
mg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/ 
Product to which 
the ML applies  Notes/Remarks  
Husked rice or 
brown rice or 
cargo rice or 
unpolished 
rice  Arsenic  0.35  Whole commodity  a. The ML is for inorganic 
arsenic (As -in). 
b. Application of the ML 
for As -in can be done by 
analyzing total arsenic 
(As-tot) in rice.  
c. If the As-tot 
concentration is below 
the ML for As -in, no 
further testing is 
required and the 
sample is determined to 
be compliant with the 
ML. 
d. If the As -tot 
concentration is above 
the ML for As -in, follow -
up testing shall be 
conducted to determine 
if the As -in 
concentration is above 
the ML.   
 
      Reference: Philippine National Standard for General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (PNS/BAFS  194:2017)  
 
*The sequence of compliance for the MRLs of pesticide residue and MLs of contaminants and toxins in food and feed shall be in  this order:   
1. PNS  
2. In the absence of the PNS, , limits set by the competent authority  
3. Established limits by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and/or ASEAN subject to evaluation by the competent authority  
4. MRL/ML of other countries subject to evaluation by the competent authority  
 
B. Maximum residue limit (MRL) of pesticide s in rice  
Pesticide Active Ingredients  MRL (mg/kg)  
2,4-D amine  0.10  
2,4-D IBE  0.10  
Acephate  0.02  
Azoxystrobin  0.60  
Benomyl  1.00  
Bensulfuron methyl  0.02  
Bentazone  0.10  
Bispyribac sodium  0.10  
BPMC (fenobucarb)  1.00  
  Polished rice 
including 
wholly milled, 
semi -milled 
rice, parboiled 
rice and 
broken rice  Arsenic  0.20  Whole commodity  a. The ML is for inorganic 
arsenic (As -in). 
b. Application of the ML for 
As-in can be done by 
analyzing total arsenic 
(As-tot) in rice. If the As -
tot concentration is 
below the ML for As -in, 
no further testing is 
required and the sample 
is determined to be 
compliant with the ML. If 
the As -tot concentra tion 
is above the ML for As -in, 
follow -up testing shall be 
conducted to determine if 
the As -in concentration is 
above the ML.  
Polished rice 
including 
wholly milled, 
semi -milled 
rice, parboiled 
rice and 
broken rice  Cadmium  0.40  Whole commodity   
Cereal grains  
(which include 
rice) Lead  0.20  Whole commodity  The ML does not apply to 
buckwheat cañihua and 
quinoa.   
Buprofezin  0.50  
Butachlor  0.10  
Carbaryl  1.00  
Carbendazim  0.50  
Carbofuran  0.20  
Carbosulfan  0.20  
Cartap hydrochloride  0.20  
Chlorantraniliprole  2.00  
Chlorimuron ethyl  0.01  
Chlorothalonil  0.10  
Chlorpyrifos  0.50  
Chlothianidin  0.50  
Cyfluthrin (includes β -cyfluthrin)  0.06  
Cyhalofop butyl  0.05   
Cyhalothrins  (includes λ - cyhalothrin)  0.50  
Cypermethrins (includes alpha - and zeta - 
Cypermethrin)  2.00  
Deltamethrin  1.00  
Difenoconazole  0.50  
Dimethoate  0.10  
Dinotefuran  2.00  
Esfenvalerate  2.00  
Ethoxysulfuron  0.10  
Etofenprox  0.05  
Fenitrothion  0.20  
Fenoxaprop -p-ethyl  0.05  
Fenthion  0.30  
Fipronil  0.01  
Flubendiamide  0.05  
Flucetosulfuron  0.10  
Fluoxastrobin  0.01  
Fosethyl aluminum  0.05  
Glyphosate  0.10  
Hexaconazole  0.02  
Imazosulfuron  0.10  
Imidacloprid  1.00  
Indoxacarb  0.50  
Iprodione  3.00  
Isoprocarb  0.50  
   
Isoprothiolane  10.00  
Mancozeb  0.02  
Metamifop  0.005  
Methomyl  0.10  
Mipc  0.50  
Niclosamide  0.01  
Oxadiazon  0.02  
Pendimethalin  0.20  
Phenthoate  0.05  
Picoxystrobin  0.50  
Pretilachor  0.05  
Propanil  0.10  
Propiconazole  0.10  
Propineb  0.05  
Pymetrozine  0.02  
Pyribenzoxim  0.05  
Sethoxydim  0.20  
Tebuconazole  1.50  
Tebufenozide  0.05  
Tefuryltrione  0.003  
Tetraconazole  0.50  
Thiamethoxam  0.50  
Thiophanate methyl  1.00  
Thiram  5.00  
Triafamone  0.003  
Trifloxystrobin  5.00  
Triflumezopyrim  0.01  
 References:  1Philippine National Standard for Pesticide residues in rice: Maximum Residue Limits (PNS/BAFS 162:2015)  
    2FPA List of Registered Agricultural Pesticides Rice MRL  
 
C. Maximum level (ML) of aflatoxin in rice  
Commodity/ Product 
Name  Maximum Level 
(ML) μg/kg  
(Total Aflatoxins)  Portion of the Commodity/ Product to 
which the ML applies  
Food1 Feed2 
Polished rice including 
wholly milled, semi -
milled rice, parboiled 
rice and broken rice  20 50 Whole commodity  
Rice, paddy or palay  or 
rough rice  20 50 Whole commodity  
References:1 USFDA action levels in all products except milk (1969) – 20 ppb  
  2Philippine National Standard for General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (PNS/BAFS 194:2017)  
   
 
D. Extraneous Material and Filth Contaminants:  
 
(i) To the extent possible in good manufacturing practice, the product shall be free 
from objectionable matter . 
 (Reference: Codex Standard for Rice. CODEX -STAN 198 -1995, Item 5.2;  Requirements of Laws and Regulations Enforce d by the U.S. 
Food and Drug Administrations, 1989, p.14  
 
The distribution of foods which may contain repulsive or offensive matter 
considered as filth regardless of whether such objectionable substances can be 
detected in the laboratory  shall be prohibited . Filth includes contaminants such as 
rat, mouse, and other animal hairs and excreta,  whole insects, insect parts and 
excreta, parasitic worms, pollution from the excrement of man and animals, as well 
as other extraneous materials which, because of their re pulsiveness, would not 
knowingly be eaten or used. adulterated, whether or not harm to health can be 
shown.  
 
(ii) There shall be no presence of hard or sharp foreign that measures greater than or 
equal to 7 mm in length.  Examples of hard or foreign objects are glass fragments , 
pieces of metal, wood splinters, hard plastics and stones.  
(Adapted from US FDA CPG Sec. 555.425)  
 
E. Microbiological Parameters  
When tested by the appropriate methods of sampling and examination, the product shall be 
free from microorganisms  which may represent a hazard to health.  
 
Test Microorganism  n c m M 
Bacillus cereus , Colony Forming Unit per gram 
(CFU/g)   5 1 100  10000  
NOTE:  
Where:  
n – Number of sample units selected from a lot of food to be examined  
c – Maximum allowed number of defective or marginally accepted units  
m– Acceptable level of microorganisms determined by specified method; the values are generally based on levels that are 
achievable under GMP  
M– Level which when exceeded in one or more samples would cause the lot to b e rejected as this indicates potential health hazard 
or imminent spoilage  
(Reference: Revised Guidelines for the Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Processed Foods, FDA -Circular No. 2013 -010 dated February 27, 
2013 -Specifications for Bacillus cereus  in frozen entrée containing rice or corn flour as main ingredient adopted for raw and cooked rice.)  
 
F. Good Agricultural Practices, Grading and Classification  
 
Rice locally produced or imported shall be able to demonstrate compliance to the 
principles of th e Code of Good Agricultural Practices based on PNS/BAFS 141:2019  and 
pass grading and classification based on PNS /BAFS 290:2019  or any other equivalent 
standard in the case of imported rice.  
 
II. Coverage/Scope:  
 
All forms of locally produced and imported rice shall comply with the limits set in Section I of 
this Memorandum Circular.  
   
 
The specified limits specified in Section I of this Memorandum Circular shall apply to 
imported rice under the following ASEAN Har monized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN) Code of 
2017:  
 
a) 1006.10 – Rice in the husk (paddy or rough);  
b) 1006.20 – Husked (brown) rice;  
c) 1006.30 – Semi milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed , including 
parboiled rice (1006.30 91)  
 
This requirement shall be applicable to all rice stakeholders/food business operators (FBOs) 
including importers and exporters.  
 
III. Additional Requirements in the Issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary -Import 
Clearance (SPS -IC): 
 
(i) The identified food safety measure s in Section I of this Memorandum Circular shall be 
submitted to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in the application of a SPS -IC for rice 
imports.  The food safety measures shall be declared in a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) 
issued by the accredited lab oratory of the Competent Authority from the country of 
origin indicating or declaring the levels or limits of the following as appropriate: a ) 
Heavy metals ; b) Pesticide residues ; c) Extraneous materials and filth contaminants ; and 
d) Microbiological param eters . 
 
The CoA is in addition to the existing quarantine pre -shipment and post - shipment SPS 
requirements for milled rice.  
 
(ii) Importers shall ensure that the pesticides found in the shipment are contained 
in the list of registered pesticides for rice in the Philippines.  
(iii) The National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of exporting countries shall 
submit a list of registered pes ticides and its MRLs for rice.  
(iv) Fumigation practices shall be declared in the SPS -IC.  
(v) Document demonstrating compliance to the principles of Good Agricultural 
Practices (GAPs) issued by the competent authority.  
 
IV. Other Food Safety Control Measures  
 
(i) All sto rage, transport and other handling facilities such as warehouses for milled rice 
and milling facilities, among others, shall be licensed by BPI. These facilities will be 
subject to inspection by BPI at any time to ensure that food hygiene and food safety 
measures are sufficient to prevent the contamination of rice.   
 
(ii) An audit shall be made mandatory on existing country sources of imported rice 
identified in Annex 1 .  The BPI will conduct an audit of the food control measures in the 
country of origin to evaluate food safety from the stage of production until the export of 
the commodity and/or into the Philippine port of entry.  
   
(iii) For new sources of imports (not identified in Annex 1 ), pre -clearance inspections shall 
be conducted in the country of origin un der the direct supervisions of the BPI based on 
the result of import risk analysis.  
 
(iv) Good Agricultural Practices in accordance with the PNS on GAPs for Rice (PNS/BAFS 
141:2019) shall be encouraged and promoted among rice producers/farmers.  
 
(v) Sellers in the  markets shall identify the source of their rice sold or label the products 
being sold to ensure traceability.  
 
(vi) PHilMech shall be allowed survey and sample collection from all storage, transport and 
other handling facilities licensed by BPI as part of its conduct of research and 
development on food safety and food safety control measures.  
 
V. Responsibilities of Food Safety Regulatory Agencies and Support Agencies  
 
1. Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)  
a. For new sources of imports (not identified in Annex 1 ), BPI shal l conduct or supervise 
the conduct of import risk analysis and pre -clearance inspections in the country of 
origin.  
b. For sources of rice identified in Annex 1 , BPI shall conduct an audit of food control 
measures in the country of origin.  
c. When necessary, BPI shall conduct sampling of rice imports upon entry in the border 
and sampling of rice in the market for random testing and other purposes.  
d. BPI shall conduct chemical tests for pesticide residues and heavy metals for rice when 
required.  
e. BPI shall ensure compliance of FBOs  to the requirements of Good Manufacturing 
Practices, Good Hygienic Practices, Good Storage Practices and Good Warehousing 
Practices.  
 
2. Food Development Center (FDC)  
a. FDC shall conduct microbiological analysis, aflatoxin and filth analysis , as requested 
by or thru BPI . 
b. FDC shall provide other food safety testing and analysis available at FDC laboratories, 
as requested by or thru BPI . 
c. FDC shall provide technical assistance in food testing and analysis, as requested  by or 
thru BPI.   
 
3. Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)  
FPA shall update BPI and BAFS on MRLs of pesticides for rice.  
 
4. Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS)  
a. BAFS shall update existing Philippine National Standards relevant to rice.  
b. BAFS shall assist food s afety regulatory agencies in the crafting and formulation of the 
technical regulations for milled rice.  
   
 
5. Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech)  
a. PHilMech shall through its Food Protection Division (FPD) carry out R& D and 
knowledge synthesis support in the area of food protection covering prevention, 
intervention, and response for incidents in food quality, food safety, food fraud and 
food defen se concerning rice.  
b. PHilMech shall , through its Socio -Economic and Policy Research Division (SEPRD) 
and on the basis of R&D results provide for policy briefs concerning rice.  
 
VI. Food Business Operators (FBO s) for Government and Private Sectors  
a. The N ational Food Authority (N FA) as FBO under t he government sector and 
similarly -situated FBOs in the private sector , shall comply with the 
requirements of the Good Warehousing Practices.  
b. As FBO, NFA shall comply with food safety requirements implemented by BPI 
in the handling/storage of locally -produ ced rice.  The agency shall be required 
to submit paddy & milled rice samples procured from farmers to determine ML 
of heavy metal contaminants, MRL of pesticides, filth/extraneous matters, 
and/or microbial contaminants.  
c. Similarly, private FBOs shall be re quired to comply with the regulatory 
requirements formulated by BPI for  commercially traded rice in the market  
 
Signed this __________ day of __________ 2020.  
 
 
 
 
WILLIAM D. DAR, Ph.D.  
Secretary  
 
   
Annex 1  
Country Sources of Imported Rice  
 
1. Vietnam  
2. Thailand  
3. Myanmar  
4. India  
5. China  
6. Pakistan  
7. Japan  
8. South Korea  
9. Chinese Taipei  
10. Italy  
11. Singapore  
12. Spain