Virgin coconut oil (VCO) produced by Butuan Coconut Products Inc. (BCPI) may soon be available in the United States as the firm secured approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to export their products to the US market.

In a statement Monday, April 8, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said BCPI successfully completed and passed its application to the USFDA Food Facility Registration policy. The registration is valid until Dec. 31, 2024. 

The USFDA, in compliance with the "Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002" enacted regulations that require food facilities to register to the agency, and be "given advance notice on shipments of imported food."

These regulations are strengthened by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) of 2011, which enables the FDA to have greater import oversight in the US international food supply chain to "prevent food safety problems from occurring, preferably before the food arrives at our border or reaches the plates of U.S. consumers," as per information obtained from the FDA website.

The DTI said that BCPI was a beneficiary of its food production support systems, particularly its initiatives in helping manufacturers prepare for global export and registration.

The DTI Head Office is currently helping BCPI to prepare for exporting their products to the European Union (EU) through the ARISE PLUS Program, in partnership with the International Trade Centre of Switzerland and the EU.

Through the agency's regional office in Agusan del Norte, BCPI was included in the RAPID Program that offers seminars, market research, assistance and promotion to the firm as part of the DTI- Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

Meanwhile, DTI Caraga enabled the BCPI to participate in local and Manila Trade Fairs, and PROPAK in Thailand for overseas visibility.

Notably, BCPI was involved in the Emporium Trade Fair in Los Angeles, which directly connected the company with Global Business Impact (GBI) who assisted them in securing their USFDA registration.

“I’d like to emphasize the help we received from DTI. I myself didn't realize it until you had me list everything out for you the numerous assistance we received to reach this milestone. Their assistance has been incredible. It's always been DTI Agusan del Norte, DTI Caraga, and the DTI Head Office that have helped us and continue to do so," said BCPI President Mina Montilla-Ladlad in an interview with DTI. 

Aside from the DTI, the BCPI also received assistance from other agencies such as the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Caraga and PCA- Agusan del Norte, who provided the company with salt fertilizers and helped its coconut farm application.

With CREATE FOODS, Butuan On Producers Association Inc. (BOPAI), and Go Negosyo's help, BCPI was also able to improve its local marketing activities and their business-to-business (B2B) strategies.

DTI remarked that the company is a "laudable example for other aspiring exporters in Butuan City and the Caraga Region."

"Their dedication to quality and strategic utilization of resources serves as a model for those seeking to expand their reach to international markets," it added.