4. Labeling Requirements

Beers, RTDs, Whisky
Philippines

This section provides information on labeling requirements and the label approval process.

4.1 Mandatory Labeling Parameters

General Food

Administrative Order 2014-0030 [1] covers the labeling of all prepackaged food products, including food supplements, whether locally manufactured or imported into the Philippines. 

1. Product name / Name of the Food 
2. Use of brand and/or trademark 
3. Complete list of ingredients - The complete list of ingredients shall be declared in descending order of proportion on either the principal display panel or information panel. 

Flavor declaration format extracted from Administrative Order 2014-0030

4. Net contents and Drained Weight - The declaration shall be made in the following manner: for liquid foods, by volume (e.g. 330ml). 
5. Name and address of manufacturer, repacker, packer, Importer, Trader, and Distributor. 

Information extracted from Administrative Order 2014-0030 

6. Lot identification 
7. Storage condition
8. Expiry date/Use-by-date/ Consume before date - Expiry date shall be printed clearly, and legibly on all product labels in the following order:
   • Day/Month/Year (01Jan2019)
   • Day and year – numerical
   • Month – declare in words to avoid confusion
9. Food Allergen Information - E.g. Contains food allergen: wheat 
10. Direction/ Instruction(s) for use 
11. Nutrition Facts/Nutrition Information/ Nutritive Value 
12. Product or Food Registration No

13. Additional information (e.g. other declarations on the label shall be substantiated such as Halal, Kosher, Organic, etc.)

Category

Alcoholic beverages

Same as the mandatory labeling parameters as General Food above. 

In addition, the nutrition facts are exempted from being labeled. The alcohol content must be indicated on the label by percentage (%) of volume or proof units. 

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.

2) Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages (such as Chuhai) 

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.    

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above. 

4.2 Languages

General Food

The language must be either English, Philippo, or a combination of both, as per Administrative Order 2014-0030 [1]. 

Category

Alcoholic beverages

Same as General Food above. 

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.

2) Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages (such as Chuhai) 

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above. 

4.3 Mandatory Information on Stickers

General Food

Information extracted from Administrative Order 2014-0030 [1] 

Category

Alcoholic beverages

Same as General Food above.

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above. 

2) Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages (such as Chuhai) 

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above.  

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic drinks) above. 

4.4 Product Legal Name

General Food

The product name shall be specific and not generic and shall indicate the true nature of the food product [1]: 

1. Where a product name or names have been established for a particular food in a food standard, any one of the names shall be used. 
2. In other cases, a common or usual product name, or in the absence thereof, an appropriate descriptive product name that is not misleading, deceptive, or confusing shall be used. 
3. A “coined” or “fanciful” name may be used provided it is not misleading, deceptive, or confusing and it accompanies one of the names specified in (a) and (b). 
4. For the consumer’s better understanding of the true nature and condition of the food, there shall appear on the label either in conjunction with, or in close proximity to the product names of the food, such additional words or phrases, as necessary, to state the type of packing medium, form or style, and the condition or type of treatment it has undergone (e.g., dried, freeze-dried, concentrated, smoke, reconstituted, etc.) 
5. The product name/name of the food shall be presented prominently on the principal display panel in bold type letters and shall be in a size reasonably related to the biggest printed matter on such panel, e.g., trademark or brand name. 

For the use of brand and/or trademark [6]:

1. If an establishment has a registered brand name or trademark, it shall be mandatory for the holder or owner of the same to indicate such correct brand name or trademark in the label of its product, but may not be declared if the product will be used for further processing. 
2. Any brand name or trademark used shall be placed in conjunction with the product name and must not be misleading, deceptive, confusing, or likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character or nature in any respect. 
3. No brand name shall be allowed that is identical to those already registered with the FDA in the same product classification or those that are offensive, obscene, scandalous, or otherwise contrary to public morals based on AO No. 2005-0016 entitled “General Policies and Guidelines Governing Brand Names of Products for Registration with the Bureau of Food and Drug” which shall remain as basis unless amended by future issuances. 
4. An identical brand name may be allowed provided that it is authorized by the same brand owner. 

Category

Alcoholic beverages

Same product name requirements as listed under General Food above. 

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.   

2) Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages (such as Chuhai) 

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.   

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.  

4.5 Product-specific Labeling Statements

Category

Alcoholic beverages

Information extracted from Administrative Order 2014-0030 [1]: all alcoholic beverages, regardless of the content of alcohol, must indicate the alcohol content in %. 

Product

1) Beer

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above. 

2) Alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages (mainly Chuhai) 

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above.

3) Whisky

Same as "Category" (alcoholic beverages) above. 

4.6 Authority Approval

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the authority responsible for approval of product label during the product registration (please refer to Section 6.2 of this guidebook).

4.7 Additional Notes on Labeling

Specific labeling is required for irradiated food:

4.8 References

1. Administrative Order 2014-0030 

https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Administrative-Order-No.-2014-0030.pdf