Section 9Sec./Art. 9

Setting of Food Safety Standards. The DA and the DOH shall set the mandatory food safety standards. The following shall guide the setting of standards:

(a) Standards shall be established on the basis of science, risk analysis, scientific advice from expert body/bodies, standards of other countries, existing Philippine National Standards (PNS) and the standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), where these exist and are applicable;

(b) Codex standards shall be adopted except when these are in conflict with what is necessary to protect consumers and scientific justification exists for the action taken;

(c) The DA and the DOH shall establish the policies and procedures for country participation at Codex and the incorporation of Codex standards into national regulations. The current National Codex Organization (NCO) is herein designated as the Body to serve this purpose. The DA and the DOH shall designate a third level officer as coordinator for Codex activities for their respective departments; and

(d) Participation at Codex shall be in accordance with the principles of this Act and shall be financially supported by the government.