Foreword
In 2008, the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries
Standards (BAFS) developed the PNS/BAFS 69:2008 (Quick frozen raw squid). The
PNS applies to quick frozen raw squid and parts of raw squid offered for direct
consumption without further processing.
In 2023, the DA-BAFS conducted a Table Review of various aged PNS related to
Fisheries. This aims to re-evaluate and validate if the provisions of the aged PNS are
still relevant and effective to the current regulatory and market requirements. This
enables the Bureau to review and, if applicable, revise or amend the PNS every five
years which pose risk to consumer safety. The review also intends to align product
specifications with market needs. The DA-BAFS identified standards for review
including PNS/BAFS 69:2008. During the review, the Technical Working Group
(TWG) deemed it necessary to review both the PNS/BAFS 69:2008 and PNS/BAFS
136:2014 (Fresh and frozen cephalopods). They agreed to merge the PNS since
squid is also covered in the scope of PNS/BAFS 136.
The TWG which revised the PNS was created through Special Order (SO) No.146,
series of 2023 (Creation of the TWG for the Development of PNS for Agricultural and
Fishery Products, Machinery, and Infrastructures). The TWG was composed of
representatives from the relevant government agencies, academe/research
institution, private sector organizations, and Civil Society Organization (CSO). The
draft PNS underwent a series of TWG meetings, writeshops and stakeholder
consultations conducted physically and via online platforms before its endorsement
to the DA Secretary for approval.
This Standard includes the following significant changes compared to the previous
version:
a) Merging of PNS/BAFS 69:2008 and PNS/BAFS 136:2014;
b) Inclusion of fresh chilled and fresh frozen product forms in the scope;
c) Updating of Normative References and Terms and Definitions;
d) Updating of Microbiological Safety Requirements (i.e., inclusion of Shigella
and Vibrio cholerae) and Maximum Levels of heavy metals;
e) Inclusion of size classification for cephalopods;
f) Updating of labeling requirements; and
g) Updating of the list of cephalopod species in the Philippines.
This document cancels and replaces PNS/BAFS 69:2008 (Quick frozen raw squid).
and PNS/BAFS 136:2014 (Fresh and frozen cephalopods) which have been
technically revised. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules
of the BAFS Standards Development Division Standardization Guide No.1: Writing
the Philippine National Standards.
