BFAR Administrative Circular No. 256: Series of 2015. Declaring malachite green and gentian violet as health hazards and prohibiting their use in food fish production and trade.

This Circular, consisting of 25 Sections divided into seven Chapters and one Annex, prohibits the use of malachite green and gentian violet in all stages of aquaculture production of fishery and aquatic products intended for human consumption and the distribution for commerce of fishery and aquatic products derived from aquaculture containing traces of the dyes. It shall be unlawful for any person to: 1) Use malachite green or gentian violet in the aquaculture production of food fish; 2) Produce, handle or process for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce fish or fishery product bearing or containing malachite green or gentian violet; and, 3) Import into the Philippines or export fish or fishery product bearing or containing malachite green or gentian violet. Any importer, exporter, aquaculture/farm operator, or distributor found violating any of the provisions of this Circular shall be subject to the following administrative sanctions: a) for the first offense, suspension for three months of the registration as importer, exporter, aquaculture/farm operator or distributor; b) for the second offense, six-month suspension of the registration; and, c) for the third offense, revocation of the registration and delisting.