Image 1. The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) convenes with the experts from the academe, research institutions and relevant government agencies to discuss trade issues on Philippine coconut industry

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES--- The Trade and Market Development Department (TMDD), through the Trade Information and Relations Division (TIRD), organized an experts’ meeting last January 25, 2023 at the Executive Lounge, PCA Building, Elliptical Road Diliman Quezon City, to discuss and consult with the experts the current trade issues on Philippine coconut industry which were raised during the PH-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Meeting on Agriculture held last December 02, 2022. In particular, the following major trade issues were discussed during the meeting:

1. Classification of coconut oil as saturated fat similar to animal fat in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) 2020-2025 – related to the 2017 campaign of the American Heart Association against saturated fats
2. Classification of coconut as allergen under the US Food Allergen Labelling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004
3. Use of Sterols and Iodine Values for Crude Coconut Oil (CNO) in the CODEX standards as basis for identification of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) which was raised by an exporter and the Coconut Coalition of the Americas through the Office of our Agriculture Counsellor in Washington, DC

A total of thirteen (13) representatives from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and eighteen (18) experts from the academe, research institutions, and relevant government agencies convened to discuss the matter, and come up with a unified Philippine position, and possible actions to be undertaken to address these misconceptions about coconuts.

The meeting was joined by Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit, Academician from the National Academy of Science and Technology, President of the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines, and Professor of the Department of Chemistry at the Ateneo de Manila Universityl; Dr. Ma. Concepcion C. Lizada, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Food Science and Nutrition of the College of Home Economics at the University of the Philippines Diliman, and Senior Fellow at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA); Dr. Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Director IV and Scientist IV of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); and other experts from relevant government agencies, particularly from the Department of Agriculture (DA): International Affairs Division (IAD), Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), and Food Development Center (FDC); Department of Trade and Industry- Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS); Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and National Nutrition Council (NNC). Meanwhile participants from PCA include representatives from the Office of the Administrator (OFAD), Operations Department (OD), Laboratory Services Division (LSD), Legal Affairs Service (LAS), Oil Palm   Other Special Concerns   Project Division (OPOSCPD), and TMDD.

Dr. Dayrit presented his position and recommendations on the classification of coconut oil as saturated fat similar to animal fat under the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020-2025), while Dr. Lizada discussed on the issue and proposed ways forward on the classifications of coconut as a major allergen under the US FALCPA of 2004. On the other hand, Ms. Celia M. Raquepo, Division Chief of PCA-LSD, explained the issue and proposed actions regarding the use of sterol and iodine values for CNO in the Codex Standards as basis for identification of VCO. Similarly, Dr. Angeles-Agdeppa presented her position and recommendations on the stated issues. Experts from other concerned agencies also provided their respective reactions and inputs during the meeting.

Image 2. Dr. Fabian Dayrit presenting the Philippine position and recommendations on the classification of coconut oil as saturated fat similar to animal fat

Image 3. Ms. Ma. Celia Raquepo discussing on the issue of the Use of Sterol and Iodine Values for Crude Coconut Oil (CNO) in the Codex Standards as basis for identification of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)

The comments and position from the invited experts will be consolidated into a unified Philippine position, to be led by the TMDD, and will be submitted through the international diplomatic channel, to be handled by the DA-IAD. In addition, PCA will provide the comments and position, as agreed by the experts, to the Draft Guidance on “Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, Including the Food Allergen labelling Requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Edition 5): Guidance to Industry” in the DGA online docket which is due on January 30, 2023.

Among the recommendations from the experts include exploration of raising the country’s position to intergovernmental groups and other channels, conduct of relevant research studies to strengthen evidence-based position, active involvement in the international standardization of technical regulations of other countries, and aggressive campaign in correcting the misconceptions, and promoting the health benefits of coconuts to Filipinos in the country and abroad.

PCA shall continue its close consultation with the experts to elevate the country’s position to the international bodies, and joint collaboration with other government agencies to implement the recommendations and solutions in addressing the issues raised during the meeting. Comments to the Draft Guidance of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee was submitted last January 30, 2023, taking cognizance to the position paper submitted by PCA to the DA Policy Research Service (DA-PRS), the studies provided by Dr. Lizada and Dr. Dayrit, and the taxonomic classification of coconut by Mr. Jiro T. Adorador, Assistant Professor of the Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences of the University of the Philippines- Los Baños.