BFAD MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 18

: The purpose of this circular is to require the mandatory display of the Food Registration Number (FR#) on the principal display panel of pre-packaged food products to ensure better monitoring of registered food products.
: Pre-packaged foods are registrable food products that are packaged or made up in advance in a container, ready for sale to the consumer. This includes processed, semi-processed, or raw substances intended for human consumption, beverages, chewing gum, and substances used as ingredients in food manufacture or preparation.
: Administrative Order No. 88-B, s. 1964.
: The mandatory display of the Food Registration Number (FR#) on the principal display panel of pre-packaged food product labels.
: The requirement took effect on October 31, 1994.
: All concerned distributors and manufacturers of pre-packaged food products are responsible for compliance with the labeling requirement.
: To ensure better monitoring and regulation of registered food products imported or distributed in the Philippines.
: Yes, chewing gum is included as a pre-packaged food product under the definitions of the AO No. 88-B, s. 1964.
: Yes, raw substances intended for human consumption are included in the definition of pre-packaged foods covered by the labeling regulations.