Department Circular No. 06 Series of 2020 on the Rules and Regulations governing the Importation and Exportation of Plant Food.

This Department Circular, consisting of 51 sections, regulates the Importation and Exportation of Plant Food aiming at rationalizing and putting in place an effective food control system for the importation and exportation of plant food to protect health of consumers and ensure fair practices in trade of plant food. The importation of plant food has undergone risk analysis, taking into account potential food safety risks associated wilh the plant food and considering the measures implemented by the exporting country's CA. The food safety regulatory system, especially the inspection and certification system of the country of origin has undergone evaluation and determined to have an equivalent system as that or the BPI. Plant food for importation complies with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) or the international standards developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) on pathogenic microorganism, mycotoxin, biotoxin, pesticide residues, heavy metals, banned pesticide, other physical or chemical contaminants, post-harvest handling, packing, storage, transport of plant food, codes of practices, among others, adopted as technical regulation by the BPI. Regulatory standards used by other countries for import, ASEAN standards, and Department of Health-food and Drug Administration standards may be used in the absence of Codex standards; provided that, such standards are evaluated by competent authorities.