Food Supplement Registration in the Philippines

Food Supplement Registration in the Philippines - Overview

On August 18, 2009, the Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) came up with a new law strengthening the Regulatory capacity of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines and other health products. The Philippines nutritional supplements market is driven by a robust demand for herbal supplements and is fully regulated by the Philippines FDA. As per Administrative Order No. 37 s. 1979, imported food products require registration with the BFAD prior to their distribution in the domestic market (Philippines). The importer is required to obtain the License to Operate (LTO) from the exporter, and the former should be authenticated by the Philippines Consulate in the country of origin. As per the Philippines food regulation, a local company in the country must secure an LTO from the BFAD before applying for product registration.

The nutraceuticals market in the Philippines, currently in its early stages, is experiencing growth due to the rising middle-class population and their reliance on the traditional pharmaceutical medicine system. The Philippines nutraceuticals market can be divided into three (03) major categories, which are as follows:

• Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
• Functional Beverages
• Functional Foods

Freyr recommends that companies operating in the nutraceuticals market can expand their market share in the Philippines and increase their revenue by focusing on product innovations in vitamins and dietary supplements; also launching new flavor variants for functional foods and beverages and opting for online distribution channels for their products. Freyr assists manufacturers in entering the food market while adhering to the Regulatory guidelines set by the Philippines FDA for food supplement registration in the Philippines.