PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
ii 
 Contents  1 
 2 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  iii 3 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  1 4 
2 References  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  1 5 
3 Definition  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  1 6 
4 Maximum and guideline levels for contaminants and toxins in food and feed  .............  3 7 
4.1 Contaminants and toxins in food and feed  ................................ ................................ ..............  3 8 
4.2 Maximum level (ML) of contaminants and toxins per commodity ................................  6 9 
5 Methods of analysis and sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................  16 10 
References  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  17 11 
 12 
  13 PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
iii 
 Foreword  14 
 15 
The Philippine National Standard  (PNS)  for the General Standard for Contaminants and 16 
Toxins in Food and Feed (GSTCFF) intends to provide guidance on the maximum levels 17 
of contaminants and natural toxicants in food and feed applicable in trade. It includes 18 
sections on  the maximum and guideline levels for contaminants and toxins per 19 
commodity and the methods of sampling and  analysis.  20 
 21 
With the initiative of the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), a  22 
Technical Working Group (TWG)  authorized under Special Order No. 316 Series of 2016 23 
was created and composed of the following regulatory agencies: Bureau of Ani mal 24 
Industry (BAI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Plant 25 
Industry (BPI), Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) National Food Authority – 26 
Food Development Center (NFA -FDC), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Meat 27 
Inspe ction Service (NMIS), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and Sugar Regulatory 28 
Administration (SRA).  The TWG was tasked to create the PNS GSTCFF by adopting the 29 
levels set by the Codex Alimentarius Commision (CAC) stated on the similar standard: 30 
CODEX STA N 193 -1995: General Standard for C ontaminants and Toxins i n Food and Feed.  31 
 32 
To achieve the aim of finalizing the PNS , the Bureau , in collaboration with the members 33 
of the TWG , conducted a series of technical reviews and  a public consulta tion was held 34 
in the National Capital Region (NCR). Comments/suggestions from stakeholder sin the 35 
said public consultation were taken into consideration, carefully assessed, and 36 
deliberated by the TWG prior to the standard’s finalization and approval.   37 PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
1 
 1 Scope   38 
 39 
This Standard contains the main principles in dealing with the contaminants and toxins 40 
in food and feed and the lists of maximum levels which are recommended by the Codex 41 
Alimentarius and adopted by the Philippines to be applied in all primary and 42 
postharvest agricultur e and fishery commodities applicable in  trade.  43 
 44 
This Standard includes only maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxins in feed 45 
in cases where the contaminant in feed can be transferred to food of animal origin and 46 
can be relevant for public health.  47 
 48 
2 References  49 
 50 
The titles of the publication referred to in this standard are listed on the  inside back 51 
cover.  52 
 53 
3 Definition  54 
 55 
For the purpose of this Standard,  the following terms should apply:  56 
 57 
3.1 58 
acute reference dose (ARfD)  59 
estimate of the amount of a substance in food and/or drinking -water, normally 60 
expressed on a body -weight basis, which can be ingested in a period of 24 hours or less 61 
without appreciable health risk to the consumer on the basis of all known facts at the 62 
time of the evaluation.  63 
 64 
3.2 65 
benchmark dose  66 
dose of a substance associated with a specified low incidence of risk, generally in the 67 
range of 1 -10%, of a health effect; the dose associated with a specified measure or 68 
change of a biological effect.  69 
 70 
3.3 71 
benchmark dose  lower confidence lim it (BMDL)  72 
lower  boundary of the confidence interval on the benchmark dose. The BDML accounts 73 
for the uncertainty in the estimate of the dose -response that is due to characteristics of 74 
the experimental design, such as sample size. The BMDL can be used as th e point of 75 
departure for derivation of a health -based guidance value or a margin of exposure.  76 
 77 
3.4 78 
contaminant  79 
Any substance not intentionally added to food, which is present in such food as a result 80 
of the production (including operations carried out in crop husbandry, animal 81 
husbandry and veterinary medicine), manufacture, processing, preparation, treatment, 82 
packing, packaging, transport or holding of such food or as a result of environmental 83 
contamination. The term does not include insect fragments, rod ent hairs and other 84 
extraneous matter.  85 PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
2 
  86 
Note 1 to entry: The definition of a contaminant implicitly includes naturally occurring 87 
toxicants including toxic metabolites of certain microfungi that are not intentionally 88 
added to food and feed (mycotoxins).  89 
 90 
Note 2 to entry: Toxins that are produced by algae and that may be accumulated in 91 
edible aquatic organisms such as shellfish (phycotoxins) are included in this Standard.  92 
 93 
Note 3 to entry: Endogenous natural toxicants (e.g. solanine in potatoes) that are 94 
impl icit constituents of food and feed resulting from a genus, species or strain ordinarily 95 
producing hazardous levels of a toxic metabolite(s), i.e. phytotoxins, are not generally 96 
considered within the scope of the Standard.  97 
 98 
3.5 99 
guideline level (GL) 100 
maximum level of a substance in a food or feed commodity which is recommended by 101 
the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be acceptable for commodities moving in 102 
international trade. When the GL is exceeded, the government should decide whether 103 
and under what circumst ances the food should be distributed within their territory or 104 
jurisdiction .   105 
 106 
3.6 107 
maximum level (ML)    108 
maximum concentration of that substance recommended by the Codex Alimentarius 109 
Commission to be legally permitted in that commodity.  110 
 111 
3.7 112 
Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake (PMTDI)  113 
endpoint used for contaminants with no cumulative properties. Its value represents 114 
permissible human exposure as a result of the natural occurrence of the substance in 115 
food and in drinking -water. In the case of trace elements that are both essential 116 
nutrients and unavoidable constituents of food, a range is expressed, the lower value 117 
representing the level of essentiality and the upper value the PMTDI.  118 
 119 
3.8 120 
Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI)  121 
endpoint used for food contaminants such as heavy metals with cumulative properties. 122 
Its value represents permissible human weekly exposure to those contaminants 123 
unavoidably associated with the consumption of otherwise wholesome and nutritious 124 
foods.  125 
 126 
3.9  127 
Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI)  128 
endpoint used for a food contaminant with cumulative properties that has a very long 129 
half-life in the human body. Its value represents permissible human monthly exposure 130 
to a contaminant unavoidably associated with otherwise wholesome and nutritious 131 
foods.  132 
 133 PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
3 
 3.10  134 
ready to eat  135 
not intended to undergo an additional processing/treatment that has proven to reduce 136 
levels of aflatoxins before being used as ingredient in foodstuffs, otherwise processed or 137 
offered for h uman consumption.  138 
 139 
4 Maximum and guideline levels for contaminants and toxins  in food  and 140 
feed  141 
 142 
4.1 Contaminants and toxins in food and feed  143 
 144 
Table 1 – Index of contaminants and toxins in food and feed  145 
Contaminants  Toxicological guidance 
value  Contaminant  
definition  Synonyms  
Aflatoxin, Total  Carcinogenic potency 
estimates for aflatoxins B, 
G, M (1997, Intake should 
be reduced to levels as low 
as reasonably possible)  Aflatoxins total 
(B1 + B2 + G1 + 
G2) Abbreviations, 
AFB, AFG, with 
numbers, to 
designate s pecific 
compounds  
Aflatoxin M1  Cancer potency estimates 
at specified residue levels 
(2001, Using worst -case 
assumptions, the 
additional risks for liver 
cancer predicted with use 
of proposed maximum 
levels of aflatoxin M1 of 
0.05 and 0.5 μg/kg are 
very small. The potency of 
aflatoxin M1 appears to be 
so low in HBsAg - 
individuals that a 
carcinogenic effect of M1 
intake in those who 
consume large quantities 
of milk and milk products 
in comparison with non -
consumers of these 
products would be 
impossible to demonstrate. 
Hepatitis B virus carr iers 
might benefit from a 
reduction in the aflatoxin 
concentration in their diet, 
and the reduction might 
also offer some protection 
in hepatitis C virus Aflatoxin M1  AFM1  PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
4 
 Contaminants  Toxicological guidance 
value  Contaminant  
definition  Synonyms  
carriers).  
Deoxynivalenol  
(DON)  Group PMTDI 0.001 mg/kg 
bw (2010, for DON and its 
acetylated derivates)  
 
Group ARfD 0.008 mg/kg 
bw (2010, for DON and its 
acetylated derivates)  Deoxynivalenol  Vomitoxin; 
Abbreviation, DON  
Fumonisins 
(B1+ B2)  PMTDI 0.002 mg/kg bw 
(2001, 2011)  Fumonisins (B1+ 
B2) Several related 
compounds have 
been described, 
notably fumonisin 
B1, B2 and B3 
(abbreviation: FB1 
etc.)  
Ochratoxin A  PTWI 0.0001 mg/kg bw 
(2001)  Ochratoxin A  (The term 
“ochratoxins” 
includes a number 
of related 
mycotoxins (A, B, C 
and their esters 
and metabolites), 
the most important 
one be ing 
ochratoxin A)  
Arsenic  At the 72nd meeting of 
Joint FAO/WHO Expert 
Committee on Food 
Additives ( JECFA ) (2010), 
the inorganic arsenic 
lower limit on the 
benchmark dose for a 
0.5% increased incidence 
of lung cancer (BMDL 0.5) 
was determined from 
epidemiological studies to 
be 3.0 μg/kg bw/day (2 –7 
μg/kg bw/day based on 
the range of estimated 
total dietary exp osure) 
using a range of 
assumptions to estimate 
total dietary exposure to 
inorganic arsenic from 
drinking -water and food. Arsenic: total (As -
tot) when not 
otherwise 
mentioned ; 
inorganic arsenic 
(As-in); or other 
specification  As PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
5 
 Contaminants  Toxicological guidance 
value  Contaminant  
definition  Synonyms  
The JECFA noted that the 
provisional tolerable 
weekly intake (PTWI) of 
15 μg/kg bw (equivalent to 
2.1 μg/kg bw/day) is in the 
region o f the BMDL 0.5 and 
therefore was no longer 
appropriate. The JECFA 
withdrew the previous 
PTWI.  
Cadmium  In view of the long half -life 
of cadmium, dail y 
ingestion in food has a 
small or even a negligible 
effect on overall exposure. 
In order to assess long - or 
short -term risks to health 
due to cadmium exposure, 
dietary intake should be 
assessed over months, and 
tolerable intake should be 
assessed over a p eriod of 
at least 1 month. To 
encourage this view, at the 
73rd meeting (2010) the 
JECFA decided to express 
the tolerable intake as a 
monthly value in the form 
of a provisional tolerable 
monthly intake (PTMI) and 
established a PTMI of 25 
μg/kg bw.  Cadmium, total  Cd 
Lead  Based on the dose –
response analyses, at the 
73rd meeting (2010), 
JECFA estimated that the 
previously established 
PTWI of 25 μg/kg bw is 
associated with a decrease 
of at least 3 intelligence 
quotient (IQ) points in 
children and an increase in  
systolic blood pressure of 
approximately 3 mmHg 
(0.4 kPa) in adults. While Lead, total  Pb PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
6 
 Contaminants  Toxicological guidance 
value  Contaminant  
definition  Synonyms  
such effects may be 
insignificant at the 
individual level, these 
changes are important 
when viewed as a shift in 
the distribution of IQ or 
blood pressure within a 
population. The J ECFA 
therefore concluded that 
the PTWI could no longer 
be considered health 
protective and withdrew it.  
Methylmercury  PTWI 0.0016 mg/kg bw 
(2003, confirmed in 2006)  Methylmercury   
Hydrocyanic 
Acid  ARfD 0.09 mg/kg bw as 
cyanide (2011, this 
cyanide -equivalent ARfD 
applies only to foods 
containing cyanogenic 
glycosides as the main 
source of cyanide)  
PMTDI 0.02 mg/kg bw as 
cyanide (2011)   HCN  
 146 
4.2 Maximum level (ML) of contaminants and toxins per commodity  147 
 148 
Table 2  – Maximum Level (ML) of Aflatoxin  per commodity  149 
Commodity/ 
Product 
Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  Reference  
Almonds  10 Whole commodity 
after removal of shell.  The ML  applies to 
almonds “ready -
to-eat”.  Codex  Stan 
193 -1995  
Almonds  15 Whole commodity 
after removal of shell.  The ML applies to 
almonds intended 
for further 
processing.  Codex Stan 
193 -1995  
Brazil nuts  10 Whole commodity  The ML applies to 
shelled Brazil nuts 
“ready -to-eat”.  Codex Stan 
193 -1995  
Brazil nuts  15 Whole commodity  The ML applies to 
shelled Brazil nuts 
intended for 
further Codex Stan 
193 -1995  PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
7 
 Commodity/ 
Product 
Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  Reference  
processing.  
Hazelnuts  10 Whole commodity 
after removal of shell.  The ML applies to 
hazelnuts, also 
known as filberts, 
“ready -to-eat”.  Codex Stan 
193 -1995  
Hazelnuts  15 Whole commodity 
after removal of shell.  The ML applies to 
hazelnuts, also 
known as filberts, 
intended for 
further 
processing.  Codex Stan 
193 -1995  
Peanuts  10 Unless specified, seed 
or kernels, after 
removal of shell or 
husk . The ML applies for 
peanuts “ready -to-
eat”.  Codex Stan 
193 -1995  
Peanuts  15 Unless specified, seed 
or kernels, after 
removal of shell or 
husk.  The ML applies for 
peanuts, also 
known as 
groundnuts, 
intended for 
furthe r 
processing.  Codex Stan 
193 -1995  
Pistachios  10 Whole commodity 
after removal of shell.  The ML applies to 
pistachios “ready -
to-eat”.  Codex Stan 
193 -1995  
Pistachios  15 Whole commodity 
after removal of shell.  The ML applies to 
pistachios 
intended for 
further 
processing.  Codex Stan 
193 -1995  
Dried figs  10 Whole commodity  The ML applies to 
dried figs “ready -
to-eat”.  Codex Stan 
193 -1995  
Coconut meal  20  Whole commodity 
after removal of shell 
and paring.  The ML applies to 
dried coconut 
meal.  EU Directive 
2002/32/EC  
Dried coconut 
meat (copra)  20 Whole commodity  The ML applies to 
dried coconut 
meat, for further 
processing to 
coconut oil.  PNS/BAFPS 
43:2009; 
PCA AO No. 
02 Series of 
2003  
Corn and 
peanut    U.S. FDA CPG 
Sec. 683.100  PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
8 
 Commodity/ 
Product 
Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  Reference  
products 
(animal feed)  
 Breeding 
beef 
cattle, 
breeding 
swine, or 
mature 
poultry  100   The ML applies to 
corn and peanut 
products intended 
for breeding beef 
cattle, breeding 
swine, or mature 
poultry.   
 Finishing  
swine of 
100 
pounds  or 
greater  200   The ML applies to 
corn or peanut 
products intended 
for finishing swine 
of 100 pounds or 
greater.   
 Finishing 
beef cattle  300   The ML applies to 
corn and peanut 
products intended 
for finishing (i.e. 
feedlot) beef 
cattle.   
Cottonseed 
meal (animal 
feed)     U.S. FDA CPG 
Sec. 683.100  
 Beef 
cattle, 
swine, 
poultry  300   The ML applies to 
cottonseed meal 
intended for beef 
cattle, swine, or 
poultry 
(regardless of age 
or breeding 
status).   
Corn, peanut 
products, and 
other animal 
feeds and 
feed 
ingredients  20  The ML applies to 
corn,  peanut 
products, and 
other animal feeds 
and feed 
ingredient, but 
excluding 
cottonseed meal, 
intended for 
immature animals.  U.S. FDA CPG 
Sec. 683.100  
Corn, peanut 20  The ML applies to U.S. FDA CPG PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
9 
 Commodity/ 
Product 
Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  Reference  
products, 
cottonseed 
meal, and 
other animal 
feeds and 
feed 
ingredients  corn, peanut 
products, 
cottonseed meal, 
and other animal 
feeds and feed 
ingredients 
intended for dairy 
animals, for 
animal species or 
uses not specified 
above, or when 
the intended use 
is not known.  Sec. 683.100  
 150 
Table 3  – Maximum Level (ML) of Aflatoxin M1 per commodity  151 
Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Produc
t to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Milk  0.5 Whole commodity  Milk is the normal mammary 
secretion of milking animals 
obtained from one or more 
milkings without either addition 
to it or extraction from it, 
intended for consumption as 
liquid milk or for further 
processing.  
A concentration factor applies to 
partially or wholly dehydrated 
milks.  
  152 
Table 4  – Maximum Level (ML) of Deoxynivalenol (DON) per commodity  153 
Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Meal derived 
from wheat  or 
maize  1,000    
Cereal grains 
(wheat, maize 
and barley) 
destined for 2,000  “Destined for further 
processing” means 
intended to undergo 
an additional Cereal grains  (wheat, maize and 
barley) destined for further 
processing  PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
10 
 Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
further 
processing  processing/treatment 
that has proven to 
reduce levels of DON 
before being used as 
an ingredient in 
foodstuffs, otherwise 
processed or offered 
for human 
consumption. Codex 
members may define 
the processes that 
have been shown to 
reduce levels  
 154 
Table 5 – Maximum Level (ML) of Fumonisin (B 1 + B 2) per commodity  155 
Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Raw maize 
grain  4,000  Whole commodity   
Maize meal  2,000  Whole commodity   
 156 
Table 6 – Maximum Level (ML) of Ochratoxin A per commodity  157 
Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Wheat  5 Whole commodity  The ML applies to raw common 
wheat, raw durum wheat, raw 
spelt and raw emmer.  
Barley  5 Whole commodity  The ML applies to raw barley.  
Rye  5 Whole commodity  The ML applies to raw rye.  
 158 
Table 7– Maximum Level  (ML) of Arsenic per commodity  159 
Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Rice, polished  0.35 Whole commodity  The ML is for inorganic arsenic 
(As-in).  
Countries or importers may 
decide to use their own PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
11 
 Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
screening when applying th e ML 
for As -in in rice by analyz ing 
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 determi ned to be 
compliant with the ML. 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.  
 160 
Table 8 – Maximum Level (ML) of Cadmium per commodity  161 
Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Brassica 
vegetables  0.05  Head cabbages and 
kohlrabi: whole 
commodity as 
marketed, after 
removal of obviously 
decomposed or 
withered leaves.  
Cauliflower and 
broccoli: flower heads 
(immature 
inflorescence only).  
Brussels sprouts: 
“buttons” only.  The ML does not apply to 
Brassica leafy vegetables.  
Bulb 
vegetables  0.05  Bulb/dry onions and 
garlic: whole 
commodity after 
removal of roots and 
adhering soil and 
whatever parchment 
skin is easily 
detached.   
Fruiting 
vegetables  0.05  Whole commodity 
after removal of 
stems.  The ML does not apply to 
tomatoes and edible fungi.  PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
12 
 Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Sweet corn and fresh 
corn: kernels plus cob 
without husk.  
Leafy 
vegetabl es  0.2 Whole commodity as 
usually marketed, 
after removal of 
obviously 
decomposed or 
withered leaves.  The ML also applies to Brassica 
leafy vegetables.  
Legume 
vegetables  0.1 Whole commodity as 
consumed. The 
succulent forms may 
be consumed as 
whole pods or as the 
shelled product.   
Pulses  0.1 Whole commodity  The ML does not apply to soya 
bean (dry)  
Root and tuber 
vegetables  0.1 Whole commodity 
after removing tops. 
Remove adhering soil 
(e.g. by rinsing in 
running water or by 
gentle brushing of the 
dry commodity).  
Potato: peeled potato.  The ML does not apply to 
celeriac.  
Stalk and stem 
vegetables  0.1 Whole commodity as 
marketed after 
removal of obviously 
decomposed or 
withered leaves.  
Rhubarb: leaf stems 
only.  
Globe artichoke: 
flower head only.  
Celery and asparagu s   
Cereal grains  0.1 Whole commodity  The ML does not apply to 
buckwheat, cañihua, q uinoa, 
wheat and rice.  
Rice, polished  0.4 Whole commodity   
Wheat  0.2 Whole commodity  The ML applies to common 
wheat, durum wheat, spelt and 
emmer.  
Marine bivalve 2 Whole commodity The ML applies to clams, cockles PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
13 
 Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
molluscs  after removal of shell.  and mussels but not to oysters 
and scallops.  
Cephalopods  2 Whole commodity 
after removal of shell.  The ML applies to cuttlefishes, 
octopuses and squids without 
viscera  
 162 
Table 9 - Maximum Level (ML) of Lead per commodity  163 
Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Berries and 
other small 
fruits  0.1 Whole commodity 
after removal of caps 
and stems.  The ML does not apply to 
cranberry, currant and 
elderberry.  
Cranberry  0.2 Whole commodity 
after removal of caps 
and stems.   
Currants  0.2 Fruit with stem.   
Elderberry  0.2 Whole commodity 
after   
Fruits with the 
exception of 
berries and 
other small 
fruits  0.1 Whole commodity.  
Pome fruits: whole 
commodity after 
removal of stems.  
Stone fruits, dates and 
olives: whole 
commodity after 
removal of stems and 
stones, but the level 
calculated and 
expressed on the 
whole commodity 
without stem.  
Pineapple: whole 
commodity after 
removal o f crown.  
Avocado, mangos and 
similar fruit with hard 
seeds: whole 
commodity after 
removal of stone   
Brassica 
vegetables  0.1 Head cabbages and 
kohlrabi: whole The ML does not apply to kale 
and leafy Brassica vegetables.  PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
14 
 Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
commodity as 
marketed, after 
removal of obviously 
decomposed or 
withered leaves.  
Cauliflower and 
broccoli: flower heads 
(immature 
inflorescence only).  
Brussels sprouts: 
“buttons” only.  
Bulb 
vegetables  0.1 Bulb/dry onions and 
garlic: whole 
commodity after 
removal of roots and 
adherin g soil and 
whatever parchment 
skin is easily 
detached.   
Fruiting 
vegetables  0.05  Whole commodity 
after removal of stems  
Sweet corn and fresh 
corn: kernels plus cob 
without husk.  The ML does not apply to fungi 
and mushrooms.  
Leafy 
vegetables  0.3 Whole commodity as 
usually marketed, 
after removal of 
obviously 
decomposed or 
withered leaves.  The ML applies to leafy Brassica 
vegetables but does not apply to 
spinach.  
Legume 
vegetables  0.1 Whole commodity as 
consumed. The 
succulent forms may 
be cons umed as 
whole pods or as the 
shelled product.   
Pulses  0.2 Whole commodity   
Root and tuber 
vegetables  0.1 Whole commodity 
after removing tops. 
Remove adhering soil 
(e.g. by rinsing in 
running water or by 
gentle brushing of the  PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
15 
 Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
dry commodity).  
Potato: peeled potato.  
Cereal grains  0.2 Whole commodity  The ML does not apply to 
buckwheat cañihua and quinoa.  
Meat of cattle, 
pigs and sheep  0.1 Whole commodity 
(without bones)  The ML also applies to fat from 
the meat.  
Meat and fat of 
poultry  0.1 Whole commodity 
(without bones)   
Cattle, edible 
offal of  0.5 Whole commodity   
Pig, edible offal 
of  0.5 Whole commodity   
Poultry, edible 
offal of  0.5 Whole commodity   
Milk  0.02  Whole commodity  Milk is the normal mammary 
secretion of milking  animals 
obtained from one or more 
milkings without either addition 
to it or extraction from it, 
intended for consumption as 
liquid milk or for further 
processing.  
  
A concentration factor applies 
to partially or wholly 
dehydrated milks  
Fish  0.3 Whole c ommodity (in 
general after 
removing the 
digestive tract)   
 164 
Table 10– Maximum Level (ML) of Methylmercury per commodity  165 
Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Fish  0.5 Whole commodity (in 
general after 
removing the 
digestive tract)  The GL does not apply to 
predatory fish.  
The guideline levels are 
intended for methylmercury in 
fresh or processed fish and fish 
products moving in 
international trade.  PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
16 
 Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Predatory fish  1 Whole commodity (in 
general after 
removing the 
digestive tract)  Predatory fish such as shark, 
swordfish, tuna, pike and others.  
The guideline levels are 
intended for methylmercury in 
fresh or processed fish and fish 
products moving in 
international trade   
 166 
Table 11– Maximum Level (ML) of Hydrocyanic acid per commodity  167 
Commodity/ 
Product Name  Maximum 
Level 
(ML) 
μg/kg  Portion of the 
Commodity/Product 
to which the ML 
applies  Notes/Remarks  
Gari  2 Whole commodity  The ML is expressed as free 
hydrocyanic acid.  
 
 168 
5 Methods of analysis and sampling  169 
 170 
The methods of analysis and sampling of contaminants and toxins stated in this 171 
Standard per commodity should conform with the provisions recommended by the 172 
Codex Alimentarius Commis sion (CAC). 1995. Codex Stan 193 -1995. Codex General 173 
Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed.   174 PHILIPP INE NATIONAL STANDARD  PNS/BAF S xx:201_  
General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
Revised Draft  
For WTO Notification 
17 
 References  175 
 176 
Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). 1995. Codex Stan 193 -1995. Codex General 177 
Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed . Rome, Italy . 178 
 179 
European Union (EU). 2003. Commission Directive 2003/100/EC of 31 October 2003 180 
amending Annex I to Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the 181 
Council on undesirable substances in animal feed . Official Journal  of the European 182 
Union.  183 
 184 
European Union (EU). 2002. Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the 185 
Council of 7 May 2002 on undesirable substances in animal feed . Official Journal of 186 
the European Communities.  187 
 188 
Philippine Coconut Authority (P CA). Administrati ve Order No. 02 Series of 2003. 189 
Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Revised Price Adjustment Scale for 190 
Moisture Content in Copra . 191 
 192 
PNS/BAFPS 43:2009 . Industrial crops – Coconut (copra) . 193 
 194 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration . 2015. Compliance Policy Guides Sec. 683.100  Action 195 
Levels for Aflatoxins in Animal Feeds . Retrieved 15 August 2016 , from 196 
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceMan 197 
ual/ucm074703.htm . 198