Philippines allows commercial cultivation of Bt Eggplant

PHILIPPINES – The Philippines has joined Bangladesh as the second country in the world to authorize the commercial propagation of insect-resistant Bt Eggplant. The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) gave the permit after strict and comprehensive biosafety evaluations conducted by the Joint Assessment Group comprising of representatives from Competent National Authorities-Biosafety Committees. This was also after…

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Farming organizations condemn government’s ease of feed ingredients importation restrictions

PHILIPPINES – Farming organizations in the Philippines have expressed opposition to a recent government move to ease restrictions on imports of feed ingredients, citing a risk of introducing the African swine fever (ASF) virus. The government recently authorized incoming trade in processed animal proteins (PAP) for inclusion in fish feeds, overthrowing its March ban on the products. The source of…

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Ethylene oxide detected in popular Filipino noodles

PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into the recall of a popular Filipino noodle brand in Europe and Taiwan due to the presence of ethylene oxide. In separate advisories, the governments of Ireland, Malta, and France recalled several variants of Lucky Me! noodle soup and pancit canton, particularly those manufactured between 2021 and 2022. These…

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Philippines publishes regulations for plant breeding innovations

PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) has published the rules and procedures for the evaluation of products of plant breeding innovations (PBI). The regulations provide a science-based and efficient process for assessment and determination of gene-edited plants if they are to be considered genetically engineered (GE) or not. The National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines defines PBIs…

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Philippines to commence mass distribution of Golden Rice

PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is set to begin mass deployment of Golden Rice to farmers by ramping up its seed production operations following the approval of the commercial propagation of Golden Rice. Farmers in the Philippines obtained the seal of approval to grow genetically engineered Golden Rice in July 2021, marking the successful culmination of a…

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Philippines revises biotech regulations to expedite adoption of products

PHILIPPINES – The Philippines has released its revised biotechnology regulations that aim to improve the administrative process and accelerate the acquiescence of biotech products that impact food security in the country. The amendments in the Joint Department Circular (JDC) by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of…

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Jollibee Group reinforces food safety culture amidst pandemic

PHILIPPINES – In light of the pandemic, the Jollibee Group, a Filipino multinational chain of fast food restaurants, is strengthening its food safety culture even further to ensure that food safety practices and measures in all the stores of its various restaurants in the Philippines meet global standards consistently. During the height of the pandemic, the group said they immediately…

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Philippines nods commercial cultivation of GE Golden Rice to curb nutrient deficiency

PHILIPPINES – Farmers in the Philippines have obtained the seal of approval to grow genetically engineered Golden Rice, which contains additional levels of beta-carotene that the body converts into essential vitamin A to improve health, especially in young children. The commercial cultivation permit was issued on July 21, marking the successful culmination of a decades-long initiative. The International Rice Research…

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