The RA 10611 “An Act to Strengthen the Food Safety Regulatory System in the Country to Protect Consumer Health and Facilitate Market Access of Local Foods and Food Products and for Other Purposes” otherwise known as the “Food Safety Act of 2013”, specifies the detailed mandates of FDC. The law provides the rule that “The Food Development Center (FDC) of the NFA (now under DA) shall provide scientific support in testing, research, and training.”
Rule 16.11 FDC shall be the Coordinating Laboratory for DA Laboratories and in this capacity shall;
- Coordinate testing activities and conduct comparative testing as necessary
- Promote the implementation of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
- Provide testing services to DA FSRAs for the analysis of chemical, biological and physical contaminants in food, particularly those requiring analysis at very low levels using specialized equipment
Rule 16.12 FDC shall implement research projects to support science-based food safety policies, standards and regulations and coordinate these projects with the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the academe.
Rule 16.13 FDC shall develop and conduct relevant training programs on food safety for DA FSRAs and FBOs in coordination with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
Rule 16.14 FDC shall collect fees for testing, training, and research services it provides to DA FSRAs, FBOs, and other interested parties.
Rule 16.15 FDC shall prepare the guidelines for the provision of testing, training, and research services to the DA within one year from the implementation of this IRR.
Rule 17.1 The FDC of NFA shall be under the direct supervision of the Undersecretary for Policy and Planning, R&D and Regulations after undergoing legal processes to make the direct supervision possible.
Rule 17.2 The Office of the Undersecretary for Policy and Planning, R&D, and Regulations shall be the Codex Contact Point (CCP) and shall oversee the DA’s participation in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) and the National Codex Organization (NCO).”