Philippine food and beverage exporters aiming for, or looking to expand their presence in the United States market are advised to strictly adhere to its key Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations on food labeling and ingredients to avoid detentions.

Anna Marie Kristine Umali, Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley Trade commissioner, said the US’ recently imposed reciprocal tariffs affecting a range of Philippine exports heightened the need for local products to be even more compliant with international standards.

“The US remains one of the Philippines largest and most strategic export market(s), particularly for food and beverage products,” she said in a webinar organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau.

Rising number of shipments detained

“However, there are rising numbers of shipments being detained at US ports often due to labeling inaccuracies and the use of non-compliant ingredients. Addressing these compliance issues is urgent if we are to protect and grow our market share,” she added.

Anna Benevente, director of Product Labeling and Ingredient Review at Registrar Corp, said imported foods must also comply with FDA regulations upon arrival at the port of entry as the agency inspects these and will not release products that have improper ingredients or labeling.

Benevente said all companies that manufacture, process, pack or store food must register with FDA then file prior notice including information about the food facility and the shipment, as well as samples.

She said firms producing certain shelf-stable, hermetically-sealed low-acid canned or acidified foods need to obtain food canning establishment (FCE) registration and product submission identifier requirements.

Registrar Corp has a free tool, www.fcewizard.com, to help companies determine whether their goods require the FCE-SID requirements, she added.

Food safety plan

Benevente said the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act also mandates manufacturers having a food safety plan incorporating Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC).

She said juice and seafood facilities for example are exempt from the HARPC requirement but must follow Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan.

Benevente said HARPC is directly connected to the Foreign Supplier Verification Program which requires US importers to monitor their suppliers and maintain documentation to show that the exporters are in compliance.