Question & AnswerQ&A (DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 31, S. 2008)
The primary purpose is to adopt the Codex Principles for the Risk Analysis of Foods Derived From Modern Biotechnology (CAC/GL 44-2003) and the Codex Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived From Recombinant-DNA Plants (CAC/GL 45-2003) to guide the risk assessment of foods derived from modern biotechnology in the Philippines.
Risk assessment is the cornerstone for issuing permits for regulated articles intended for food, feed, or processing, ensuring potential hazards to health and the environment are evaluated and mitigated.
The Codex Principles for the Risk Analysis of Foods Derived From Modern Biotechnology (CAC/GL 44-2003) and the Codex Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived From Recombinant-DNA Plants (CAC/GL 45-2003).
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, Codex Alimentarius Commission standards, Food and Agriculture Organization, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and other relevant international bodies guide risk assessment.
The Bureau of Plant Industry, the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards, and the Bureau of Animal Industry are mandated to apply these guidelines in their respective mandates.
It is issued pursuant to the Consumer Act of the Philippines and Section 19, Chapter 4, Title IV, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292, s. 1987.
To revisit existing safety guidelines for regulated articles for food and feed under AO No. 8, s. 2002 (as amended), aiming to harmonize them with the Codex Standards.
It took effect thirty (30) days after its publication in a national newspaper of general circulation.
Regulated articles refer to plant and plant products derived from modern biotechnology which require risk assessment before importation or environmental release.
To ensure that the risk assessment aligns with globally accepted scientific standards and risk management practices, facilitating safe handling of biotechnology-derived products.