BFAD dioxin food product advisory update

BFAD Bureau Circular No. 13, s. 1999 issues an advisory update based on certification received from the NETHERLANDS government authorities.
The circular also relies on similar assurance relayed to the Secretary of Health from authorities in FRANCE and GERMANY.
The certifications and assurances cover products exported from those countries and state that they are not contaminated with dioxin.
The rescission is limited to the order to remove certain products from commerce and trade outlets.

The circular rescinds the order to remove from commerce and trade outlets the following product categories when produced in the referenced countries with certification: meat, poultry, eggs, and milk products.
The rescission applies to products exported from NETHERLANDS, FRANCE, and GERMANY based on the stated certifications/assurances.
The circular keeps the prior recall instructions for a specific origin and production date, rather than rescinding them entirely.

The circular orders that the order for supermarkets, duty free shops and drug outlets to recall dioxin-related products from BELGIUM remains in effect.
The recall is limited to products produced from January 15, 1999.
The recall instruction remains active specifically against supermarkets, duty free shops, and drug outlets.

Manufacturers must identify the sources of the raw materials used for their products.
Manufacturers must refrain from distributing products if the source of raw materials is BELGIUM.
The circular targets distribution conduct by manufacturers for products tied to BELGIUM raw material sources.

All shipments in transit from BELGIUM, FRANCE, GERMANY, and NETHERLANDS must be covered by the certification requirements issued on June 11, 1999.
The certification requirements are issued by the Department of Agriculture.
The circular identifies the certification requirements as signed by the Acting BAFPS Director Ma. Concepcion C. Lizada.
The requirement applies specifically to shipments in transit, ensuring certified coverage during movement.

All concerned manufacturers, supermarkets, duty free shops, and drug outlets must submit to BFAD a list of products from BELGIUM withdrawn from the trade.
The submitted list must indicate the volume of products.
Submissions are made for advise on proper disposition.
The reporting obligation is tied to products that have been withdrawn from the trade as part of the Belgium recall.

The circular is adopted on 14 June 1999.
It is signed by WILLIAM D. TORRES, PH.D., as Director.
The circular directs compliance and guidance to the listed regulated entities, including manufacturers and covered retail outlets.