Yes, absinthe is legal in the Philippines, but its production, importation, and sale are strictly regulated under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Circular No. 2023-012 and the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act No. 9775 (Anti-Food Tampering Act). The FDA classifies absinthe as an alcoholic beverage requiring pre-market authorization, with thujone content capped at 10 ppm—aligning with ASEAN harmonized standards. Local government units (LGUs) may impose additional licensing requirements for retail establishments.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in Philippines
- Thujone Limits: Maximum 10 ppm thujone content, enforced via FDA pre-market evaluation of ingredient declarations and laboratory testing.
- Licensing Requirements: Importers and manufacturers must secure an FDA Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) and a Local Government Unit (LGU) Business Permit before distribution.
- Labeling Compliance: Mandatory inclusion of alcohol content, thujone levels, and health warnings per FDA Circular No. 2021-015; mislabeling risks administrative fines or seizure.
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) does not classify absinthe as a controlled substance, but LGUs in tourist-heavy areas (e.g., Cebu, Boracay) often impose zoning restrictions on absinthe bars. Recent 2026 draft amendments to the National Integrated Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Act propose stricter advertising bans for high-proof spirits, potentially affecting absinthe marketing. Violations may trigger penalties under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394), including product recall or criminal liability for repeat offenders.