Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga — La Rose Noire Philippines confirms that the Philippine Government has finally submitted the long-overdue Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP) for eggs, dairy, and honey to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE).
The submission, made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), marks a crucial step that the industry has been waiting on for years. For La Rose Noire and many other exporters, this submission brings a sense of relief — but also a clear understanding that the journey is not yet over.
“We are grateful that the government has now taken this important step,” the company said. “But until DG SANTE completes its review and officially approves the plan, we still cannot send our non shelf stable products to Europe. Our operations — and the livelihood of many Filipino workers — remain at risk.”
The Philippine RMP has been pending since 2019, prompting the European Union to impose a ban in 2023 on composite non-shelf stable food products that use eggs and dairy ingredients. This ban has led to disrupted operations, cancelled orders, and the painful loss of hundreds of jobs at La Rose Noire’s Clark facility. More recently, even shelf-stable products such as tarts, cones, and baskets — previously allowed — were denied entry into France, adding to the strain on the company and its workforce.
The company emphasized that the submission alone does not restore market access. DG SANTE must first evaluate the plan and officially add the Philippines back to the EU’s list of approved exporting countries. Until this approval is secured, Philippine-made products that contain eggs and dairy will continue to be barred.
“We respectfully appeal to the government to help push this process forward as quickly as possible,” La Rose Noire added. “Every week that passes means more uncertainty for our people, our partners, and the future of our operations in Clark.”
The company stressed that its products meet internationally recognized standards, holding certifications from the Philippine FDA as well as FSSC and GMP accreditations. The current restrictions are not due to any compliance issue on the part of La Rose Noire, but simply because the Philippines is not yet on the EU’s approved list.
Despite the challenges, La Rose Noire reaffirmed its commitment to the Filipino workforce. Since opening its doors in 2012, the company has invested heavily in local jobs, community projects, and education — including the construction of five public schools and the training of 371 scholars through its La Rose Noire Foundation.
“We continue to believe in the talent and dedication of Filipino workers and in the Philippines’ place in global manufacturing,” the company shared. “Once Europe reopens to our products, we are ready to bring people back, restart production, and rebuild what we’ve lost.”
La Rose Noire extended its appreciation to the Clark Development Corporation and remains in close coordination with the Philippine FDA, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of the President as the country awaits DG SANTE’s decision.
