PH Pili Nuts Authorized for Sale in EU Market

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has recently announced that Philippine Pili nuts were approved by the European Union (EU) to be placed in the EU market and to be part of the list of novel foods.

The Regulations Commission released Implementing Regulation 2023-267 last Feb 8, 2023, which amends Regulation 2017-2470 on novel foods from a third country.

The Pili nuts inclusion in the Eu list of novel foods came from the application filed by the DOMENICODELUCIA SPA to the Commission last March 2019 which requests the placement of nuts of Canarium ovatum Engl. in the market of the EU as a third country traditional food in compliance with Article 14 of the Regulation 2015/2283.

The applicant petitioned for dried nuts of Canarium ovatum Engl. to be consumed by the general population. The notification of the company complies with the needed requirements stated in Article 14 of Regulation 2015/2283.

Specifically, the EU has mentioned that the presented data by the applicant shows that the dried nuts of  Canarium ovatum Engl. have a record of safe food use in the Philippines.

The Pili is an endemic fruit-bearing tree found in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. Despite this being a low-maintenance crop, the de-shelling of the fruit or the Pili nut takes time and effort. De-shelling would entail a wooden board and a local bolo.

The Pili nut kernel boasts of a pumpkin seed flavor when raw and delivers a different taste after being roasted.

Source: Manila Bulletin