Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that choking is a leading cause of 
injury and death in children ages 3 years old and below.  
A choking warning label must be placed on food to alert parents of this danger. Parents 
need to be aware of food choking danger. Manufacturers should take the first step and 
place warning labels on their food. This bill seeks for the placement of mandatory 
warning labels on statistically dangerous foods to protect our children from choking 
hazard. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
August 3, 2023
12:01 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM FOODS THAT POSE 
A SIGNIFICANT CHOKING HAZARD 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Food Choking Prevention 
Act.” 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
(A)
“Choking” means the condition caused by blocking the airways to the lungs, as
with food or swelling of the larynx.
(B)
“Label” means the display of written, printed or graphic matter on any
consumers product, its immediate container, tag, literature or other suitable
material affixed thereto for the purpose of giving information as to identity,
components, ingredients, attributes, directions for use, specification and such
other information as may be required by law or regulations.
(C)
“BFAD” means the Bureau of Food and Drugs.
(D)
“OCHE” means the Office of Choking Hazard Evaluation.
(E)
“Task Force” means the Choking Hazard Evaluation Task Force.
Sec. 3. Office of Choking Hazard Evaluation (OCHE).  – 
(A)
In General. – There shall be an OCHE established within the BFAD which will
promulgate and implement the provision of this Act. The BFAD is encouraged
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to enter into inter-agency agreements with pertinent agencies in establishing 
and operating the OCHE. 
(B)  
Informational Labels. – The OCHE shall have the authority to require 
informational labels on food consumed by children that pose a demonstrably 
high choking risk to children. 
(C)  
Recall Authority. – The OCHE shall have mandatory recall authority of food that 
the OCHE determines pose a significant and unacceptable choking hazard to 
the general public. 
(D)  
Education. – The OCHE shall produce educational materials on food choking 
hazards, precautions, and lifesaving procedures that shall be provided to 
pediatricians and hospital to distribute to patients aged 14 years old and 
younger. The OCHE shall designate one week a year as "National Child Food 
Choking Prevention Week" and shall widely publicize choking hazards and life-
saving procedures during the time period. Child safety, as well as infant and 
CPR classes, shall be made widely available throughout the designated week. 
 
Sec. 4. Inter-Agency Task Force. — 
(A)  
Choking Hazard Evaluation Task Force. – The BFAD shall establish the Task 
Force within the OCHE. The officers and staff of the Task Force shall be 
designated by the BFAD. 
(B)  
Functions. – 
(1)  
In General. – The Task Force shall be responsible for establishing 
criteria for determining whether a food poses a significant and 
unacceptable choking hazard.  
(2)  
Age-Specific Criteria. – In carrying out paragraph (B)(1), the Task Force 
shall establish age-different criteria for choking hazards. 
(C)  
Public Comment. – There shall be a 90-day public comment period after the 
criteria under paragraph (a) which to be announced by the Task Force. 
 
Sec. 5. Database of Complaints. – The BFAD, in consultation with other pertinent 
agencies, shall ensure that there is in operation a national database of food choking 
incidents.  
 


 
The BFAD shall provide for an adequate reporting system throughout its field offices, 
which members of the health care profession and general public can readily access to 
report new incidents. 
 
Sec. 6. Reports to Congress. – The BFAD shall regularly submit reports to the 
appropriate Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives regarding 
the implementation of this Act. 
 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or   
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
 
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or 
inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly.  
 
Sec. 9. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,