LABELING REQUIREMENTS

Rules and Regulations Governing the Labeling of Prepackaged Food

Products Distributed in the Philippines

Republic of the Philippines Ministry of Health

BUREAU OF FOOD AND DRUGS
Manila

May 25, 1984

Administrative Order No. 88-B s. 1984

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 26 (a) of R.A. 3720, otherwise known as the “Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Act”, the following rules and regulations on the labeling of prepackaged food
products, imported or locally produced are hereby promulgated for the information and guidance of
all concerned:

Section 1. Definition of Terms

For the purpose of this labeling regulation, the term:

1.1. Container means any form of packaging material which completely or partially enclose the food
(including wrappers). A container may enclose the food as a single item or several units or
types of prepackaged food when such is presented for sale to the consumer.
1.2. Food means any substance, whether processed, semi-processed of raw which is intended for
human consumption and including beverages, chewing gum and any substance which has
been used as an ingredient or a component in the manufacture, preparation or treatment of
“food”.
1.3. Food Additives means any substance not normally consumed as food by itself and not
normally used as a typical ingredient of the food, whether or not it has nutritive value, the
intentional addition of which to food for a technological (including organoleptic) purpose in the
manufacturing, processing, preparation, treatment, packaging, transport for holding of such
food results, or maybe reasonably expected to result (directly or indirectly) in its or its by –
product becoming a component of (or otherwise affecting the characteristic of) such food.
1.4. Food Standard is a regulatory guideline that defines the identity of a given food product (i.e. its
name and the ingredients used for its preparation) and specifies the minimum quality factors
and, when necessary, the required fill of container. It may also include specific labeling
requirements other than or in addition to the labeling requirements generally applicable to all
prepackaged foods.
1.5. Ingredient means any substance, including a food additive, used as a component in the
manufacture or preparation of food and present in the final product (in its original or modified
form).
1.6. Label includes any tag, brand, mark, pictorial, or other descriptive matter, written, printed,
marked, embossed or impressed on or attached to a container of food.
1.7. Labeling means any written, printed or graphic matter (1) upon any article or any of its
container or wrappers or (2) accompanying the packaged food.
1.8. Lot refers to quantity of food products under essentially the same condition during a particular
production schedule.
1.9. Nutrition Information means any representation which states, suggests or implies that a food
has particular nutritional properties including but not limited to the energy value and to the
content of protein, fat and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals.
1.10. Prepackaged means packaged or made up in advance in a container, ready for sale to the
consumer.
1.11. Processing Aid means a substance or material not including apparatus or utensils, and not
consumed as a food ingredient by itself, intentionally used in the processing of food to
achieve a certain technological purpose which may result in the non-intentional but
unavoidable presence of residues or derivatives in the final product

Section 2. General Provisions

2.1 Prepackaged food shall not be described or presented on any label or in any labeling in a
manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create erroneous impression
regarding its character in any respect. It shall not be described or presented on any label or in
any labeling by words, pictorial or other devices which refer to or are suggestive either directly
or indirectly, of any other product with which such food might be confused, or in such a manner
as to lead the purchaser or consumer to suppose that the food is connected with such other
product.
2.2 Food packages shall have labels that carry the necessary information about the product.

2.2.1 The “Principal Display Panel” of the label shall be that part which, either through design
or general use, is presented or shown to the consumer under customary conditions of
display for retail sale.
2.2.2 The “Information Panel” of the label shall be that part immediately continuous to the
principal display panel and in the case of rectangular, cylindrical or foursided (tetra-
pak) containers, any of the sides adjacent to the principal display panel except the
bottom side which serves as the base of package.
2.3 Every word, figure or statement required to appear on the label or labeling shall be printed
legibly with such conspicuousness and in such terms as to render it likely to be understood
under customary condition of purchase and use. Where the label of a food package is so small
that it prevent the use of letters of the prescribed size or where it concerns secondary or
optional information, letters or proportionately reduced size may be used provided the
prescribed particulars are visible and legibly shown and the designated label space is
proportional to the size of the package.

Section 3. Mandatory Label Information

The labels of all prepackaged foods shall bear the following information:

3.1. Name of the Food

3.1.1. The name shall indicate the true nature of the food and shall normally be specified
and not generic.
a) Where a name or names have been established for a particular food in a Food
Standard, any one of these names shall be used.
b) In other cases, a common or usual name, or in the absence thereof, an
appropriate descriptive name shall be use.
c) A “coined” or “fanciful” name may be used provided it is not misleading or
confusing.
3.1.2. For the consumer’s better understanding of the true nature and condition of the food,
there shall appear in the label either in conjunction with, or in close proximity to the
name of the food, such additional words or phrases, as necessary, to state the type
of packing medium, form or style, and the condition or type of treatment it has
undergone (e.g. dried, freeze-dried, concentrated, smoke, reconstituted, etc.).
However, if the form (whole, slices, diced, etc.) is visible through the container or is
depicted by an appropriate vignette, the particular form need not be included in the
statement of the name of the food.
3.1.3. The name of the food shall be presented in bold type letters on the principal display
panel and shall be in a size reasonably related to the most prominent printed matter
on such panel, e.g., trade mark or brand name.
3.2. List of Ingredients

1.2.1. A complete list of ingredients shall be declared in descending order of proportion on

either the principal display panel or information panel except that when a food product is
covered by a Food Standard, only the optional ingredients shall be declared unless
otherwise required by such regulation.
1.2.2. Added water shall be declared in the list of ingredients if such a declaration would result
in a better understanding of the product’s composition by the consumer except when the
water forms part of an ingredient such as brine, syrup or broth and declared as such in
the list of ingredients.
1.2.3. A specific name, not a collective (generic) name shall be used for an ingredient except
that spices, flavors and food colors other than those sold as such, may be designated as
spices, flavors and food color without naming the specific materials.

1.2.3.1. Spices shall refer to any aromatic vegetable substance in the whole, broken,
ground or any other form, except those substances which have been
traditionally regarded as food.
3.2.3.2. Flavors and flavoring substance are classified in the following categories:

a) Natural flavors – flavoring substance derived through appropriate physical processes

from spices, herbs, fruits or fruit juices, vegetable or vegetable juices, edible yeast,
bark, bud, root, leaf of plant materials, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products or
fermentation products thereof.
b) Nature – identical flavoring substance – substances chemically derived from
aromatic materials or obtained synthetically, which are chemically identical to
substances present in natural products intended for human consumption.
c) Artificial flavoring substances – substances that impart flavor but which have not
been identified in natural products or natural sources of flavorings.
3.2.3.3. Flavor as classified above shall be declared as “Natural Flavor(s)”, “Nature –
identical flavor(s)” or “Flavor(s)” for (a), (b) and (c) respectively. In the case of
combination of Natural Flavors and Nature – identical flavors it shall be declared
as such or simply “Flavors”.
3.2.3.4. Any pyroligneous acid or other artificial smoke flavors used as an ingredient in a
food shall be declared as artificial flavor or artificial smoke flavor. No
representation may be made, either directly or implied, that a food flavored with
pyroligneous acid or other artificial smoke flavor has been smoked or has a true
smoke flavor, or that a seasoning sauce or similar product containing
pyroligneous acid or other artificial smoke flavor and used to season or flavor
other food will result in a smoked product or one having a true smoked flavor.
3.2.3.5. Coloring substances shall be declared by their common name or as
“Food Color(s)” or “Color(s)” for those that are derived from or identical with
substances derived from plant materials, and as “Artificial Color(s)” for coal-tar
dyes or other synthetic chemical compounds.
3.2.3.6. The specific names of vegetable oil used shall be indicated. In the case of
mixture of two or more vegetable oils the declaration shall be in the following
manners “vegetable oil” (name of oils in decreasing order of proportion) “or blend
of vegetable oil” (name of possible oil blends).

3.2.4. Declaration of Food Additives

4.2.4.1. Food additives shall be declared by their common name or their class name which
indicate their functional categories.

The following class names may be used except when otherwise stated in a food
standard.

Anticaking Agent(s)
Acidulant(s)/Food Acid(s)
pH-Control Agent(s) Emulsifier(s)
Firming Agent(s)
 Flavor Enhancer(s)
Flour Treatment Agent(s)
Bleaching Agent(s)
Dough Conditioner(s)
Maturing Agents
Glazing Agent(s)
Humectant(s)
Leavening Agent(s)
Preservative(s)
Antimicrobial Agent(s)
Antioxidant(s)
Stabilizer(s)
Thickener(s)
Modified Starch(es)
Vegetable Gum(s)
Sequestrant(s)

3.2.4.2. Vitamins and Minerals All added vitamins and minerals shall be declared individually in the
list of ingredients except that when a nutrition information table is presented in the label,
the collective term “Vitamins and Minerals” may be declared in the list of ingredients.
Provided, however, that when the nutrition information table declares other vitamins and
minerals which have not been added to the product, the added vitamins and minerals shall
be specified either in the list of ingredients or in the nutrition information table.
3.2.4.3. The following substances shall be declared by their common name:
a) Sodium Chlorite/Salt
b) Sodium Nitrite
c) Sodium/Potassium Nitrite
d) Monosodium Glutamate/MSG/Vetsin
e) Specific name for non-nutritive sweeteners
3.2.4.4. When the acidulant used is acetic acid or sodium diacetate in the case of dehydrated food
products, e.g., soup mixes, they may be declared as such or as acidulant(s) but in no case
shall the terms vinegar or vinegar powder be used to refer to these substances.
3.2.4.5. Processing aids and food additives carried over into food (from another food that was used
as an ingredient) at levels less than those required to achieved technological function, need
not be declared in the list of ingredients.

3.3. Net Contents and Drained Weight

3.3.1. The net content shall be declared using the metric system of measurement or “SI”
(International System of Units) on either the principal display panel or the
information panel and in line generally parallel to the base of the package. The
Declaration shall be made in the following manner:

a) for liquid foods, by volume;

b) for solid foods, by weight, except that when such foods are sold by number, a
declaration of count may be made;
c) for semi-solid or viscous foods, either by weight or volume.

3.3.2. Foods packed in a liquid medium normally discarded before consumption may carry a
declaration of drained weight.
3.3.3. The declaration of contents shall appear in conspicuous and legible bold face print or
type in distinct contrast to other matters on the panel where it is declared.
3.3.4. The net contents declaration shall be in letters and numerals of a type size
established in relation to the height of the label of the food package and shall be
uniform for all packages of substantially the same size by complying with the
following type size specifications:
a) Not less than 2mm in height on packages not more than 60mm or bottles not more than
200mm in height.
b) Not less than 2.5mm in height on packages more than 80mm but not more than 160mm
or bottles more than 200mm but not more than 400mm in height.
 c) Not less than 3.5mm in height on packages more than 160mm but not more than 260mm
or bottles more than 400 but not more than 650mm in height.
d) Not less than 5mm in height on packages more than 260mm or bottles more than
650mm in height.
3.3.5. For food packages with surface areas of less than 30cm2 the minimum type size for
declaration of net contents shall be 1.5mm.
3.3.6. For multi-unit retail packages, a statement of the quantity of contents on the outside package
shall include the number of individual units, the net content of each individual unit, and in
parenthesis the total quantity of contents of the multiunit package.

A multi-unit retail package may thus be properly labeled.

“20 x 10 g sachets (net wt. 200 g)”

“6 x 300 ml bottles (1.8 L or 1000 ml)”

However, the number of individual units in a multiunit retail package may not be
declared if the number of the units can be clearly seen and easily counted without
opening the package.

3.4. Name and address of Manufacturer, Packer and Distributor

3.4.1. The name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor of the food shall
be declared on the label.

3.4.1.1. The street, City/town and province shall be indicated except that the street
address may be omitted if the company’s name, as declared on the label, is listed in a
current telephone directory.

3.4.1.2. If a manufacturer with corporate headquarters in Metro Manila, has plant in

many cities and towns, the name of the company as listed in a current telephone directory
would also suffice provided every food package has a code/mark to identify the processing
plant where it was produced.

3.4.2. If the food is not manufactured by the person or company whose name appears
on the label, the name must be qualified by “manufactured for” or “Packed for” or similar
expression

3.4.3. The country of origin shall be indicated if the product is being exported or
imported.

3.4.4. In the case of products carrying foreign brands or manufactured under license by
a foreign company, the name or name and address of the foreign company, if declared shall
be in letters of type size not bigger than those used for the local company.

3.4.5. The name and address of the importer or local distributor shall be declared in the
labels of imported products except for sole legal distributors/importers.

3.5. Lot Identification.

The lot identification code shall be embossed or otherwise permanently marked on
immediate individual packages or containers.

Section 4. Nutrition Information

Nutrition information may be included on the label or in the labeling provided it

conforms to the requirements of this section.
 4.1. The nutrition information shall be presented through the declaration of protein,
carbohydrate, fat, energy value vitamin and mineral content of the food in tabulated form.

4.1.1. The declaration of nutrient quantities shall be on the basis of the food as packaged.
Another column of figures may be used to declare the nutrient quantities on the basis of the food
as consumed after cooking or other preparation provided the specific method of cooking or
preparation shall be disclosed in a prominent statement following the information.

4.1.2. All nutrient quantities shall be declared in relation to the average or usual serving in
terms of slices, pieces or a specified weight or volume.

4.1.3. Protein, Carbohydrate and fat content shall be expressed to the nearest gram except
that if a serving/portion contains less than one gram, the statement “contains less than one gram”
or “less than one gram” may be used.

4.1.4. Energy value shall be expressed in terms of calorie, kilocalories (Kcal), joules or
kilojoules (kjoules).

4.1.5. Vitamin and Mineral content shall be expressed in terms of percentage of

Recommended Daily allowances (RDA) or by weight. International Units (I.U.) shall be used for
Vitamins A, D and E.

4.1.6. The RDA values shall be based on the Philippine RDA except that in the absence
thereof for certain nutrients, the FAO/WHO or U.S. RDA values may be cited and shall be specified.
In the case of imported products, RDA values of the country of origin may be indicated.

4.1.7. The percentage of RDA shall be expressed in 2 – percent increments up to and

including the 10 – percent level, 5 – percent increments above 10 – percent and up to and
including the 50 percent level, and 10 – percent increments above the 50 – percent level.

4.1.8. Nutrients present in amounts less than 2 percent of the RDA shall be indicated by zero, or
by the statement – “contains less than 2% of the RDA” or by an asterisk referring to this statement,
or not declared at all.

4.1.9. Claims that a food product is enriched/fortified with vitamins and/or minerals shall be
made only when the amount of added vitamin(s) and/or mineral(s) is in accordance with the level(s)
specified in the Food Fortification Guidelines and the nutrition information shall appear on the label.

4.1.10. Fatty acid composition cholesterol content and sodium content may also be declared.

4.2. The added nutrients for fortification can be in the form of nature identical nutrients or in the
form of naturally occurring food containing large amounts of the desired nutrients.

4.3. For the purpose of compliance with nutrient label declarations.

a) The nutrient content of a food shall be at least equal to 80 percent of the value for that
nutrient declared on the label at any point in time within the expected shelf-life of the product.
Provided, that no regulatory action will be based on a determination of a nutrient value which falls
below this level by a factor less than the variability generally recognized for the analytical method
used in that food at the level involved.

b) The carbohydrate, fat or energy value shall not exceed 20 percent of the value declared on
the label.

c) The sample for nutrient analysis shall consist of a composite of 12 sub-samples (consumer
units) taken one from each of 12 different randomly chosen shipping cases, to be representative of
a lot. Composite shall be analyzed by AOAC Methods where available or in the absence thereof,
by reliable and appropriate analytical procedure.

4.4. A food labeled under the provision of this section shall be deemed to be misbranded if its
labeling represents, suggest or implies:
 4.4.1. That the food because of the presence or absence of certain dietary properties, is
adequate or effective in the prevention, cure, mitigation or treatment of any diseases or
symptoms when such claim cannot be substantiated.

4.4.2. That a balanced diet of ordinary foods cannot supply adequate amount of nutrients.

4.4.3. That the food has dietary properties when such properties are of no significant value or
need in human nutrition. Ingredients or substances which have not been combined with
vitamins and/or minerals, added to food labeled in accordance with this section, or
otherwise used or represented in any way which states or implies nutritional benefit.
Ingredients of this type may be marketed as individual products or mixtures thereof;
Provided, that the possibility of nutritional, dietary, or therapeutic value is not stated or
implied.

4.4.4. That a natural vitamin in a food is superior to an added or synthetic vitamin, or to

differentiate in any way between vitamins naturally present those added.

Section 5. Labeling of Food Additives

5.1. Food Additives, when packed in retail containers and sold either through normal distribution
channels (e.g., supermarkets, grocery stores) or directly to food processors, shall be properly labeled,
indicating the information required in sub-section 5.1.1. to 5.1.7.

5.1.1. a) the name shall be specific preferably the name indicated in the BFAD’s List of
Permissible Food Additives or a trade/brand name may be used which shall be accompanied by a
descriptive statement pertaining to the functional use of the additive.

b) Color additives, when sold as such, shall be referred to as “Food Color” and immediately below
these words the component(s) shall be indicated.

5.1.2. Listing of Additives components

a) All substances present shall be listed in the order of decreasing proportion. When one or more
of the food additive(s) is subject to a quantitative limitation as specified in the BFAD’s List of
Permissible Food Additives, the quantity or proportion of the additive(s) shall be indicated in the label.

b) In the case of Flavorings, each flavoring component need not be given. The generic
expression “Flavor” or “Flavoring” shall be used and indicating the nature of the flavor by using the
qualifying words, “natural”, “nature-identical”, “artificial” or a combination of these words, as
appropriate.

c) When compounded additive or flavoring preparations contain coloring substances the name of
each coloring substance shall be indicated.

5.1.3. The words “For Food Use”, “Food Grade” or a statement similar thereto shall appear
prominently on the principal display panel of the label, except when the word ‘food’ already
appears as part of the name of the product as in “Food Color”.

5.1.4. Adequate information shall be given about the manner in which the food additive is to be
used either on the label or a package insert. Whenever there are specified restrictions for any of
the components, there shall be information pertaining thereto to ensure compliance with the
restrictions.

5.1.5. Food additives with a limited shelf-life shall carry an open-date mark which shall signify that
beyond this date the effectivity of the additive, for its intended use is diminished.

5.1.6. Storage instructions shall be indicated, particularly when the stability of the additive depends
there on.
5.2. For food additives that are packed in non-retail containers and/or solely destined for further
industrial processing, the required information, other than those indicated in sub section 5.1.1. and
5.1.6. may be stated in a brochure which shall be given to the buyer together with documents
relating to its sale.

Section 6. Other Requirements

6.1. Open – Date Marking Prepackaged food shall be open – date marked in compliance with
the “Guidelines for Open – Date marking of prepackaged Foods”.

6.2. Alcoholic Beverages In addition to the labeling requirements under section 3 of this
regulation, the alcohol content in terms of percentages or proof units shall be indicated on the
principal display panel of the label of alcoholic beverages.

6.3. Language

6.3.1. The language used for all information on the label shall be either English or Filipino or any
major dialect or a combination thereof. For food products intended for export the language
acceptable to the importing country shall be used.
6.3.2. In the case of imported food products, labels where in the information are declared in a
foreign language must also carry the corresponding English translation, otherwise such products
shall not be permitted for local distribution.

6.4. Additional Information Additional information when stipulated in a Food Standard or any
other BFAD regulation shall be indicated on the label.

Section 7. Misleading Declarations/Representations

The situations described in this section are example of what have been considered misleading.
The BFAD reserves its right to rule against other form of misleading declaration/representations.

7.1. Any representation relative to the flavor of the food product as depicted on the label,
labeling or advertising material which is inconsistent with Sections 3.2.3.2 and 3.2.3.3.

7.2. Use of Photographs and Graphic Representations

7.2.1. Photographs of fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish, meat or eggs whether fresh or cooked,
whole or sliced shall not appear on the label unless the product contains such materials or
substances naturally derived from them. If flavoring substances have been added to boost or
reinforce the natural flavor of a given material, the words “Flavor Added” or any statement to that
effect shall appear conspicuously and in close proximity to the photograph.

7.2.2. Graphic representations used to depict the above mentioned materials (fruits, vegetables,
etc.) are acceptable provided these do not vividly illustrate the actual appearance of such
materials.

7.2.3. Pictures of food preparations or dishes may appear on the labels of products like sauce
mixes or other similar products that are used as ingredient(s) for the preparation of such
food/dishes provided the statement “Serving Suggestion” or any other statement of similar
import appear with the picture.
 7.3 Use of Names of Places

7.3.1 Names of places may be used as part of the name of the product

(a) if the product is produced in the place cited or (b) if the product contains the characterizing
ingredient(s) and/or prepared in exactly the same manner as the product identified with said
place. However, in the case of (b), if the place cited is in another country, it shall be qualified by
the word “style” except when reference to the place is accepted as a generic term for that
product.

7.3.2. Use of names of places as Brand Name is acceptable provided the presentation is not
misleading, i.e., it does not appear as part of the name of the product.

Section 8. Exemptions

8.1. Exemptions from the labeling requirements shall be allowed in the following situation:

a) A shipment or other delivery of a food which is in accordance with the practice of the trade,
to be processed, labeled or repacked in substantial quantity at establishment other than that where
originally processed or packed, shall be exempt from compliance with labeling requirements during
the time of introduction into the movement in commerce and the time of holding in such
establishment.

b) A food, while held for sale, shall be exempt from labeling requirements, if said food,
having been received in bulk containers at a retail establishment, is accurately weighed, measured
or counted either within the view of the purchaser or in compliance with the purchaser’s order.

8.2 Exemptions from any specific provision(s) of this labeling regulation may be granted
under justifiable circumstances. Petition for such exemptions should be submitted to the Bureau of
Food and Drugs for appropriate action.

Section 9. Any article of food that is misbranded when introduced into domestic commerce
may be seized when the director of Bureau of Food and Drugs or his duly authorized designate has
probable cause to believed from facts found by him or any official or employee of the Bureau of
Food and Drugs that the misbranded article is dangerous to health, or that the labeling of the
misbranded article is fraudulent or would be in material respect misleading to the injury or damage
of the purchaser or consumer.

Section 10. Any violation of the provision of this rules and regulation shall render the article
misbranded and the responsible person shall be subject to the penal provision of section 12 (a)of
R.A. 3720. In addition, administrative sanctions, such as suspensions or revocation of license to
operate, fines or written notice of warning, may likewise be imposed by the Bureau of Food and
Drugs, in the discretion of its Director. In case of the juridical person, the penalty arising out of the
criminal offense, shall be imposed upon the president, Manager or head and of the members of the
Board of Directors or governing body of the firm or establishment.

Section 11. All orders, regulation or guidelines or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions
of this Administrative Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. This regulation shall take
effect immediately upon approval and publication in the Official Gazette.

There shall be a maximum period of 18 months from the date of effectivity to modify and
consume inventories of existing prepackaged food labels which are violative of this regulation. In
the case of gross violation the Bureau of Food and Drugs shall order compliance within a period
shorter than 18 months.

Recommending Approval:
(Sgd) CATALINA C. SANCHEZ
Director

APPROVED:
(Sgd) J.C. AZURIN
Minister of Health

LABELING

 the primary means by which the product communicates with the

consumers, traders and regulatory agencies
 Any written, printed or graphic matter in the package
 must be correct, accurate, legible and not misleading

Labeling Law

Republic Act No. 3720 (Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act)

 prescribes rules and regulations for the packaging and labeling of foods
distributed in the Philippines
 BFAD interprets the regulations and details of RA 3720 (provides the lists of
substances permitted for use in food and food packaging materials)

Food Labels

2 parts:
1. The Principal Display Panel (PDP)
 Presented or shown to the consumer at the point of sale

2. Information Panel (IP)

 Any of the sides adjacent to the PDP

PDP IP
Mandatory Labeling Requirements

1. Name of Product (Product Identity)

2. Name and Address of Manufacturer
3. Country of Origin
4. List of Ingredients
5. Net Contents
6. Expiry Date
7. Other Pertinent Information (e.g. Serving suggestions, etc…)

Product Name (Name of the food)

indicate sufficient precise description of the true nature of the food

be specific and not generic
the true nature of the product shall appear in close proximity to the name of the
product (type of packing medium, form or style, condition or type of treatment)
shall be presented in BOLD type letters on PDP in a size related to the biggest
printed matter on the panel (trade mark or brand name)

Brand Name

 word, letter, or group of words that identifies the product and/or its
manufacturer
 Don’t use brand name that is already registered with FDA
 Should be placed in conjunction with the product name

List of Ingredients and Additives

 defined under the law, this means “any substance, including additives, used in the
manufacture or preparation of a food stuff and still present in the finished product.
 Complete listing; in descending orders of proportion (from the greatest amount to
the least) on either PDP or IP
 Added water shall be declared in the list except when water forms part of an
ingredient such as brine, syrup, broth, etc.

Name and Address of Manufacturer, Packer or Distributor

Ex. Manufactured by: Mai Mi Foods Corporation
Koronadal City, Philippines

Distributed by:
_________________________
_________________________

Packed by:
_________________________
Country of Origin
ex. Product of the Philippines

Open-date Marking or Expiry date

 indicating the date on food labels/packages for the purpose of informing the
consumer about the expected quality of product @ a given period of time
provided that it has been properly stored.

This should be indicated:

Consum before: ______________

or
Best Before: ______________

Lot Identification Code

 Production Batch Number and Date of Manufacture

 The LIC or production code shall be embossed or otherwise permanently marked
on immediate individual packages or containers

Other Requirements

Alcoholic beverages
 Indicate alcohol content (percentages or proof) on the PDP

Language
 All information shall be either English, Filipino or any major dialect or combination
 For export, use language applicable to the importing country

Use of Photographs & Graphic Representations

 Photographs whether fresh, cooked, whole, sliced, etc should illustrate the actual
appearance

Use of Names of Place

 Maybe used as part of the name of the food provided it is produced in the place cited or
prepared exactly the same manner

Exemptions

 a shipment or delivery of a food which is in accordance with the practice of the trade Ex.
Fresh fruits for wet market

 A food held for sale or having been received in bulk containers at retail establishment (Ex.
Salt, Sugar, Oil)
SAMPLE FOOD LABELS

Information Panel (IP)

Principal display panel