[ BFD CIRCULAR NO. 6-A, s. 1998, October 20, 1998 ]
PERMISSIBLE NET CONTENT VARIATION IN PRE-PACKAGED FOOD
The attached chart entitled Administrative Guidance; Maximum Permissible Variation in Weight and Volume Expressed in Terms of Allowance Deviation From the Declared Net Content marked as Annex A hereof, has been invariably used by BFAD in determining whether or not the net content declaration in the labelling is correct or truthful.
However, concerns have been expressed that a number of food processors of prepackaged food product are not clear on how to make use of the attached chart or Annex A * .
To ensure uniform interpretation on how to use the guide BFAD hereby issues this clarification or explanation, thus:
1. A sample unit is considered defective if it does not conform with the prescribed tolerance for weight/volume variation. This also applies to variation in the declared drained weight.
2. Acceptance of defective units in a given production lot, attributed to weight/volume variation, shall be based on the CODEX Sampling Plans for Prepackaged Foods where Inspection Level I is applied for normal sampling operation and Inspection Level II is applied in case of resolving disputes.
3. For proposed foods packed in rigid containers, it is also required that the fill of the container shall at least be 90% of the water capacity of the container.
Furthermore, BFAD herewith provides for your reference the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Sampling Plans for Prepackaged Foods, consisting of two (2) pages marked as Annexes B and B-1* .
These chart and sampling plans will continue to guide both BFAD and the food processors/manufacturers or repackers in the determination of the accurate net content variations. In this same circular, we remind all parties concerned that an erroneous net content declaration can render a product misbranded or mislabeled.
Adopted: 20 Oct. 1998
(SGD.) QUINTIN L. KINTANAR, M.D., PH.D., CESO I
Director
FAO/WHO CODEX ALIMENTARIUS SAMPLING PLANS FOR PRE-PACKAGED FOODS
A. Sampling Plan 1 (Inspection Level I, AQL =6.5)
Net Weight is equal to or less than 1 kg (2.2 lb)
Net Weight is greater than 1 kg (2.2 lb)
But not more that 4.5 kg. (10 lb)
Net Weight greater than 4.5 kg (10 lb)
B. Sampling Plan 2 (Inspection Level II, AQL = 6.5)
Net Weight is equal to or less than 1 kg (2.2. lb)
Net Weight is greater than 1 kg (2.2 lb) but not more than 4.5 kg (10 lb)
Net Weight greater than 4.5 kg (10 lb)
1 The acceptance number refers to the maximum number of defective units permitted in a given sample size for the lot to be considered in compliance with the tolerance for weight variation.
* Text Available at Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City.
However, concerns have been expressed that a number of food processors of prepackaged food product are not clear on how to make use of the attached chart or Annex A * .
To ensure uniform interpretation on how to use the guide BFAD hereby issues this clarification or explanation, thus:
1. A sample unit is considered defective if it does not conform with the prescribed tolerance for weight/volume variation. This also applies to variation in the declared drained weight.
2. Acceptance of defective units in a given production lot, attributed to weight/volume variation, shall be based on the CODEX Sampling Plans for Prepackaged Foods where Inspection Level I is applied for normal sampling operation and Inspection Level II is applied in case of resolving disputes.
3. For proposed foods packed in rigid containers, it is also required that the fill of the container shall at least be 90% of the water capacity of the container.
Furthermore, BFAD herewith provides for your reference the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Sampling Plans for Prepackaged Foods, consisting of two (2) pages marked as Annexes B and B-1* .
These chart and sampling plans will continue to guide both BFAD and the food processors/manufacturers or repackers in the determination of the accurate net content variations. In this same circular, we remind all parties concerned that an erroneous net content declaration can render a product misbranded or mislabeled.
Adopted: 20 Oct. 1998
(SGD.) QUINTIN L. KINTANAR, M.D., PH.D., CESO I
Director
ANNEX B
FAO/WHO CODEX ALIMENTARIUS SAMPLING PLANS FOR PRE-PACKAGED FOODS
A. Sampling Plan 1 (Inspection Level I, AQL =6.5)
| Lot Size (N) | Sample Size (n) | Acceptance Number(c)1 |
| 4,800 or less | 6 | 1 |
| 4,801 - 24,000 | 13 | 2 |
| 24,001 - 48,000 | 21 | 3 |
| 48,001 - 84,000 | 29 | 4 |
| 84,001 - 144,000 | 48 | 6 |
| 144,001 - 240,000 | 84 | 9 |
| more than 240,000 | 126 | 13 |
But not more that 4.5 kg. (10 lb)
| Lot Size (N) | Sample Size (n) | Acceptance Number(c)1 |
| 2, 400 or less | 6 | 1 |
| 2, 401 - 15, 000 | 13 | 2 |
| 15, 001 - 24, 000 | 21 | 3 |
| 24, 001 - 42, 000 | 29 | 4 |
| 42, 001 - 72, 000 | 48 | 6 |
| 72, 001 - 120, 000 | 84 | 9 |
| more than 120, 000 | 126 | 13 |
| Lot Size (N) | Sample Size (n) | Acceptance Number(c)1 |
| 601 or less | 6 | 1 |
| 600 - 2, 000 | 13 | 2 |
| 2, 001 - 7, 200 | 21 | 3 |
| 7, 201 - 15, 000 | 29 | 4 |
| 15, 001 - 24, 000 | 48 | 6 |
| 24, 001 - 42, 000 | 84 | 9 |
| more than 42, 000 | 126 | 13 |
B. Sampling Plan 2 (Inspection Level II, AQL = 6.5)
Net Weight is equal to or less than 1 kg (2.2. lb)
| Lot Size (N) | Sample Size (n) | Acceptance Number(c)1 |
| 4,800 or less | 13 | 2 |
| 4,801 - 24,000 | 21 | 3 |
| 24,001 - 48,000 | 29 | 4 |
| 48,001 - 84,000 | 48 | 6 |
| 84,001 - 144,000 | 84 | 9 |
| 144,001 - 240,000 | 126 | 13 |
| more than 240,000 | 200 | 19 |
| Lot Size (N) | Sample Size (n) | Acceptance Number(c)1 |
| 2, 400 or less | 13 | 2 |
| 2, 401 - 15, 000 | 21 | 3 |
| 15, 001 - 24, 000 | 29 | 4 |
| 24, 001 - 42, 000 | 48 | 6 |
| 42, 001 - 72, 000 | 84 | 9 |
| 72, 001 - 120, 000 | 126 | 13 |
| more than 120, 000 | 200 | 19 |
| Lot Size (N) | Sample Size (n) | Acceptance Number(c)1 |
| 601 or less | 13 | 2 |
| 600 - 2, 000 | 21 | 3 |
| 2, 001 - 7, 200 | 29 | 4 |
| 7, 201 - 15, 000 | 48 | 6 |
| 15, 001 - 24, 000 | 84 | 9 |
| 24, 001 - 42, 000 | 126 | 13 |
| more than 42, 000 | 200 | 19 |
1 The acceptance number refers to the maximum number of defective units permitted in a given sample size for the lot to be considered in compliance with the tolerance for weight variation.
* Text Available at Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City.