Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY “HORI” G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases 
(NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. 
NCDs are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression. In the 
Philippines, NCDs account for 68% of all deaths.  
Every year, more than half a million deaths are attributed to trans-fatty acids (TFA) 
globally. High intake of TFA increases the risk of death from any cause by 34% and 
coronary heart disease mortality and morbidity by as much as 23% and 28%, 
respectively. 
TFA has no health benefits. The WHO believes that TFA elimination is considered 
one of the simplest public health interventions to reduce the risk of corona heart 
disease and improve the nutritional quality of diets. The WHO published the 
REPLACE Technical Action Package as a road map toward a trans-fat-free world by 
2023. Accordingly, this measure is pursuant to a global effort to eliminate TFA and 
help improve the diet of Filipinos.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY “HORI” G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
September 13, 2022
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY “HORI” G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS “NICK” C. ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT FILIPINOS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF 
TRANS-FATTY ACIDS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
Article I. General Provisions 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Trans-Fat-Free 
Philippines Act."  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them. The State recognizes the right of people to safe and nutritious food, free from 
substances like trans-fatty acids (TFA) that increase their risk of contracting deadly 
diseases. The State shall prioritize health promotion and preventive care as it 
progresses towards universal health care. In this regard, the State shall protect 
Filipinos from the threat of death and diseases linked to TFA consumption by 
progressive^ removing industrially-produced TFA from the food supply.  
SECTION 3. Definitions of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following 
terms shall be defined as follows:  
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(a)  Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) - an authorization issued by the Food 
and Drug Authority (FDA) for specific health products including food, after 
evaluation and approval of submitted registration requirements.  
 
(b)  Distributor - means any person to whom a consumer product is delivered or 
sold for purposes of distribution in commerce, but excluding the manufacturer 
or retailer of such product. Distributors may be importers, exporters, traders 
and wholesalers.  
 
(c)  Food - any substance or product, whether processed, partially processed or 
unprocessed that is intended for human consumption. It includes drinks, 
chewing gum, water and other substances that were used as an ingredient or a 
component in the manufacture, preparation or treatment of food, such as oils 
and fats, whether sold alone or incorporated in processed food and/or 
prepackaged food.  
 
(d)  Food Service Establishment - means any establishment that prepares, serves, 
markets, sells, or offers for sale, food or drink to be consumed within the 
establishment or taken-out.  
 
(e)  Healthy Alternative Oils, Fats, and Oilseeds - oils, fats, and oilseeds rich in 
polyunsaturated fatty-adds or monounsaturated fatty-acids and with low levels 
of saturated fatty-acids.  
 
(f)  
Importer - the consignee or the Philippine agent or representative of a foreign 
owner or consignee of raw materials, ingredients and/or finished products at 
the time of entry of such article into the Philippines.  
 
(g)  Industrially-Produced TFA - trans-fatty acids created as a byproduct when fats 
and oils are modified by the use of industrial processing techniques.  
 
(h)  License to Operate (LTO) - a license granted by the FDA to establishments 
involved 
in 
the 
manufacturing, 
packaging, 
repackaging, 
importation, 
exportation, distribution, and retailing of processed foods, drugs, medical 


devices, in vitro diagnostic reagents, cosmetics, and household hazardous 
substance products.  
 
(i)  
Manufacturer - means any person who manufactures, assembles or processes 
food products, including any person who attaches one's own brand name to a 
consumer product manufactured, assembled, or processed for them. In the 
case of imported products, the manufacturer's representatives or, in their 
absence, the importer shall be deemed the manufacturer.  
 
(j)  
Micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) - any business activity or 
enterprise engaged in industry, agribusiness and/or services whether single 
proprietorship, cooperative, partnership or corporation whose total assets, 
inclusive of those arising from loans but exclusive of the land on which the 
particular business entity's office, plant and equipment are situated, and must 
have value falling under the following categories:  
(i)  
Micro 
:  
not more than P3,000,000;  
(ii)  Small 
:  
P3,000,001 - 15,000,000; and  
(iii)  Medium :  
P15,000,001 -P100,000,000.  
 
The above definitions shall be subject to review and adjustments by the Micro, 
Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Council under Section 6 of 
RA 9501 or the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, or upon 
recommendation of sectoral organizations concerned, taking into account inflation 
and other economic indicators.  
 
(k)  Partially Hydrogenated Oil (PHO) - fat or oil that has been hydrogenated, but 
not to complete or near complete saturation, and with an iodine value greater 
than 4, as determined by a method that is suitable for this analysis.  
 
(l)  
Prepackaged Food - processed food prepared in advance and placed in a 
container, labelled and ready for sale or distribution, or for catering purposes.  
 
(m)  Processed Food - any food that has been subjected to any action that 
substantially alters the initial raw materials or product or ingredients.  


 
(n)  Retailer - any establishment that sells or offers to sell any food product directly 
to the general public.  
 
(o)  TFA - all fatty acids with a double bond in the trans configuration, regardless of 
whether they are produced industrially or come from ruminant sources.  
 
SECTION 4. Scope and Application. - This Act shall apply to all food business 
operators as defined under Republic Act No. 10611 or the "Food Safety Act."  
 
Article II. Roles and Responsibilities 
SECTION 5. Lead Agency. - The Department of Health (DOH) shall be responsible 
for ensuring that the provisions of this Act are implemented. As lead agency, the 
DOH shall perform the following functions:  
(a)  Convene and lead the inter-agency TFA Task Force composed of the 
following agencies for the implementation of this Act:  
i.  
National Nutrition Council (NNC);  
ii.  
FDA;  
iii.  
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);  
iv.  Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);  
v.  
Department of Science and Technology (DOST);  
vi.  Department of Agriculture (DA);  
vii.  Department of Finance; and  
viii.  Other agencies identified by the DOH.  
 
(b)  Issue policies, rules, regulations and standards for the implementation of this 
Act; and  
 
(c)  Oversee and monitor the implementation of this Act.  
 
SECTION 6. Assistance and Capacity Building for Local Implementation and 
Enforcement. - The FDA, in coordination with DILG and other relevant agencies, 
shall strengthen the capacity of local government units (LGUs) in implementing and 
enforcing the provisions of this Act with regard to prepackaged and processed food 


produced and marketed in traditional markets and food service establishments. The 
FDA shall assist LGUs in regulating food service establishments, upon request of the 
LGU. Such assistance shall Include the use of laboratories for testing and sharing of 
information relevant to products registered with the FDA.  
 
SECTION 7. Research and Development. - The DOST shall:  
(a)  Conduct continuing research to identify and develop Healthy Alternative Oils 
and food products such as:  
i.  
Healthy Alternative Oilseeds through crop diversification programs and 
agricultural research, in coordination with the DA;  
ii.  
Healthy oils and fats through the application of oil modification 
techniques and other methods; and  
iii.  
Healthy food products through product reformulation, research and 
development; and  
 
(b)  In coordination with the FDA, develop or adopt technology to reduce the cost 
of TFA testing.  
 
SECTION 8. Oilseeds Crop Diversification. - The DA shall Implement an oilseeds 
crop diversification program and conduct continuing research and development to 
support the production of Healthy Alternative Oilseeds in coordination with DOST.  
 
SECTION 9. Trainings and Seminars on Reformulation. - The DOH, in 
coordination with FDA, DTT, DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and 
Development, DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), DILG, 
and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, shall conduct 
trainings and seminars for food business operators and food service establishments 
on the reformulation of food products to comply with the provisions of this Act, and 
the use of health alternatives of oils.  
 
Article III. Prohibited Acts 
SECTION 10. Prohibition on the Manufacture, Importation, Distribution and 
Sale of PHOs and Oils and Fats with High TFA Content. - The manufacture, 
importation, distribution and sale of the following are prohibited:  


(a)  PHOs to be consumed alone or used in preparation of food products;  
 
(b)  Oils and fats made or blended with PHOs; and 
 
(c)  Oils and fats with TFA content of more than 2g per l00g. No registration, 
license or permit shall be issued to any food manufacturer, importer or 
distributor that manufactures, imports, distributes, or sells food in violation of 
this provision.  
 
SECTION 11. Prohibition on the Manufacture, Importation, Distribution and 
Sale of Processed and Prepackaged Food with PHOs and High TFA Content. - 
The manufacture, importation, distribution and sale of the following are prohibited: 
(a)  Processed and prepackaged food prepared with PHOs, including food 
prepared by food service establishments;  
 
(b)  Processed and prepackaged food prepared with oils and fats made or 
blended with PHOs, including food prepared by food service establishments; 
and  
 
(c)  Processed and prepackaged food with TFA content of more than 2g per l00g 
of total fat. No registration, license or permit shall be issued to any food 
manufacturer, importer or distributor for any processed or prepackaged food 
manufactured, imported, distributed or sold in violation of this provision.  
 
SECTION 12. Prohibition on Trans Fat Free Claims. - Claims on the packaging, 
labelling, marketing, or advertising, that a food product is TFA free is prohibited. A 
TFA free claim is any claim that states or suggests that the food product does not 
contain TFA, such as 'Trans Fat Free," with "0g Trans Fat," or any other similar 
claim.  
 
SECTION 13. Material Misrepresentation. - Any material misrepresentation with 
regard to the requirements mandated by the FDA in the application for a CPR shall 
be a ground for the imposition of appropriate penalties prescribed under this Act. For 
purposes of this Act, there is material misrepresentation when the applicant makes a 


false representation of a material fact in the application for a CPR, tending directly to 
induce the FDA to grant the application when otherwise it will be denied.  
 
Article IV. Enforcement 
SECTION 14. Enforcement Agencies. - The FDA and LGUs shall be responsible 
for the enforcement of this Act with regard to the following food products:  
(a)  Processed and prepackaged food - The FDA shall enforce the provisions of 
this Act in relation to prepackaged and processed food including oils and 
fats, whether domestic or imported.  
 
(b)  Food produced and marketed in traditional markets and food service 
establishments - The LGUs shall enforce the provisions of this Act with 
regard to prepackaged and processed food produced and marketed in 
traditional markets and food service establishments within their jurisdiction.  
 
SECTION 15. Inspection Powers and Record-keeping. - The FDA, through its 
authorized agents, shall have the power to inspect the premises and records of food 
manufacturers to determine compliance with this Act. The FDA shall issue guidelines 
on record-keeping and inspection procedures.  
 
SECTION 16. Enforcement Procedure for Processed and Prepackaged Food. - 
The existing rules of procedure in administrative proceedings of the FDA shall apply 
in the handling of cases and violations committed under this Act with regard to 
processed and prepackaged food.  
 
SECTION 17. Enforcement for Traditional Markets and Food Service 
Establishments. - LGUs, through an appropriate issuance, shall establish a 
mechanism to enforce the provisions of this Act with regard to prepackaged and 
processed food produced and marketed in traditional markets and food service 
establishments within their jurisdiction and shall Impose penalties for violations 
thereof.  
 
SECTION 18. Civil Society Participation for Monitoring and Surveillance. - The 
FDA shall implement programs encouraging citizen participation in the conduct of 


post market monitoring and surveillance of TFA content in food and reporting 
violations of this Act. For this purpose, the FDA shall develop and publicize a web-
based user-friendly consumer complaints portal to encourage citizen participation. 
 
Article V. Fines and Penalties 
SECTION 19. Administrative Penalties. - The following administrative penalties 
shall be Imposed on food business operators found to be in violation of Sections 
10,11, and 12 of this Act:  
(a)  For the first violation, a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(P50,000.00) but not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P100,000.00) and suspension of the CPR and/or LTO for one (1) month;  
 
(b) 
For the second violation, a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P200,000.00) and suspension of CPR and/or LTO for three (3) months; and  
 
(c)  For the third violation, a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P200,000.00) but not more than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P300,000.00). Suspension of CPR and/or LTO for one (1) year or 
revocation of the CPR, LTO, and other relevant licenses and permits.  
 
The following administrative penalties shall be imposed on food businesses 
operators found to be in violation of Section 13 of this Act:  
(a)  For the first violation, a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P100,000.00) but not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P200,000.00) and suspension of the CPR and/or LTO one (1) year; and   
 
(b) 
For the second violation, a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand 
pesos (P200,000.00) but not more than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P300,000.00) and revocation of CPR and/or LTO. The imposition of fines 
shall take into consideration the annual gross sales, capital investment and 
employee size of the food business operator.  
 


SECTION 20. Imprisonment. - In addition to administrative penalties, the following 
penalties of imprisonment may be imposed on food business operators:  
(a)  For violations under Sections 10, 11, and 12, imprisonment of not less than 
one (1) month but not more than six (6) months; and  
 
(b)  For violations under Section 13, imprisonment of not less than six (6) months 
but not more than one (1) year.  
 
Criminal and administrative actions for violations of this Act may be instituted 
separately and independently from one another. Should the offense be committed by 
a juridical person, the Chair of the Board of Directors, the President, General 
Manager, or the partners and/or the persons directly responsible therefor shall be 
penalized. 
If the offender is an alien, he shall be deported after service of sentence and 
payment of fine without further deportation proceedings.  
In case the violation is committed by, or in the interest of, a foreign juridical 
person duly licensed to engage in business in the Philippines, such license to 
engage in business in the Philippines shall immediately be revoked.  
The above penalties shall not preclude the imposition of applicable penalties by 
LGUs, and any other sanctions under applicable laws, rules, and regulations.  
 
SECTION 21. Other Penalties. - In addition to the foregoing fines and penalties, the 
following sanctions may also be imposed:  
(a)  Seizure and condemnation, destruction and/or appropriate disposition of 
noncompliant food products by the FDA; and/or  
 
(b)  Closure of establishment by the LGUs having jurisdiction.  
 
Article VI. TFA Testing and Enforcement Capacity 
SECTION 22. Accredited Laboratories and Testing Centers. - The FDA and DTI 
Philippine Accreditation Board (PAB) shall jointly accredit public and private 
laboratories capable of testing TFA content in food. The FDA and DTT-PAB shall 
develop, issue, and publish accreditation procedures and qualification requirements 
for testing facilities within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. The FDA shall 


adopt mechanisms to reduce the cost of TFA testing in all accredited laboratories 
and testing centers.  
 
SECTION 23. Regional Laboratories and Testing Centers. - Regional laboratories 
and testing centers shall assist LGUs in monitoring and enforcing the provisions of 
this Act within their respective jurisdictions as provided in Section 14.  
 
SECTION 24. Resources and Manpower. - The FDA shall determine and ensure 
the sufficient number of resources and manpower needed for the implementation of 
this Act. In coordination with DOST, the FDA shall ensure that all FDA and DOST 
regional laboratories have the equipment and resources to conduct testing of TFA 
content in food. In coordination with relevant agencies, the FDA shall determine and 
ensure the adequacy of personnel trained on TFA regulation, testing, monitoring and 
surveillance.  
 
SECTION 25. Duty-free Importation of TFA Testing Equipment. - The importation 
of laboratory equipment for testing TFA shall be exempt from payment of customs 
duties and taxes.  
 
Article VII. Incentives for Replacing TFA 
SECTION 26. Early compliance incentives for MSMEs. - The DTI and LGUs, 
through its business process and licensing offices, shall develop and implement 
policies and programs providing incentives for MSMEs to encourage early voluntary 
compliance with this Act.  
 
SECTION 27. Expedited processing for CPR applications on reformulated 
products. - The FDA shall expedite the assessment of new CPR applications for 
food products reformulated in compliance with this Act.  
 
Article VIII. Miscellaneous Provisions 
SECTION 28. Consumer information, education and communication program. - 
The DOH, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency, Department of 
Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Department of Information and 
Communication Technology shall develop and implement a comprehensive 


information, education and communications program to raise public awareness on 
the provisions of this Act, the health harms resulting from TFA, sources of TFA in the 
diet, and ways to replace PHOs with Healthy Alternative Oils, Fats, and Oilseeds.  
 
SECTION 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall develop and issue implementing rules and 
regulations (IRR) of this Act in consultation with NNC, FDA, DILG, DTI, DOST, DA, 
and other relevant government agencies and stakeholders.  
 
SECTION 30. Transitory Provisions. - Within two (2) years from the effectivity of 
this Act:  
(a)  Food manufacturers and importers shall comply with the additional 
requirements for CPR application as determined by the FDA; and  
 
(b)  Food business operators shall be allowed to sell their existing food products 
that do not comply with Sections 10 and 11 of this Act.  
 
All manufacturers. Importers, distributors, and retailers of oils and fats, and 
food service establishments shall be required to submit their existing inventory of 
food products as of the date of effectivity of this Act to the FDA and DTI. Food 
business operators shall submit their inventory within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of the IRR of this Act to monitor the phase out of noncompliant food 
products.  
 
SECTION 31. Monitoring and Evaluation. - The DOH shall periodically report to 
the President and the Congressional Committees on Health, Agriculture and Food, 
and Trade and Industry on the implementation of this Act. The DOH shall, in 
coordination with DOST-FNRI, further monitor and evaluate the following:  
(a)  TFA exposure screening and surveillance - The DOST-FNRI shall include 
the regular screening and monitoring of TFA population consumption in the 
expanded national nutrition survey; and  
 


(b)  TFA nutrient profiling - The DOST-FNRI shall include the testing and 
monitoring of TFA content in food in the food composition table and food 
composition databases. 
 
SECTION 32. Appropriations and Use of Fees, Charges and Penalties. - The 
initial amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against 
the current appropriation of all concerned agencies. Such funds necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
All fines and fees that may be collected from the enforcement of this Act shall 
be used exclusively for its implementation.  
 
SECTION 33. Conflict of Interest. - Pursuant to the fundamental objective of this 
Act to advance public health, the Implementation and enforcement of this Act and 
the development of related policies shall promote multisectoral coordination while 
safeguarding against potential conflict of interest.  
 
SECTION 34. 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.  
 
SECTION 35. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or Issuance, 
executive order, letter of Instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act Is hereby repealed, modified, or 
amended accordingly.  
 
SECTION 36. Effectivity Clause. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, 
this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,