Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT FILIPINOS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF 
TRANS-FATTY ACIDS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Cardiovascular diseases have been one of the leading causes of mortality 
among Filipinos. Based on the report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 
Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD) or Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), a form of 
cardiovascular disease, was identified as the top cause of death, with 136,575 cases 
or 17.8% of the total deaths in the country from January to December 2021.1 This 
indicated an increase of 29.7% from the 105,281 deaths or 17.1% of total deaths in 
2020.2 Recently, PSA’s latest preliminary report from January to April of 2022, shows 
that IHD remains to be one of the leading causes of death in the country, with 29,442 
cases or 18.7% of the total deaths in the country.3 One of the risk factors contributing 
to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is the high intake of trans-fatty acids 
(TFA), which increases bad cholesterol and blood sugar, and decreases good 
cholesterol.  
TFA sources are either naturally occurring (meat and dairy products from 
ruminant animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels) and industrially-produced 
1 Philippine Statistics Authority, Causes of Death in the Philippines (Preliminary: January to December 2021. 
Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/causes-deaths-philippines-preliminary-january-december-2021 (date 
last accessed September 5, 2022). 
2 Id. 
3 Philippine Statistics Authority, 2022 Causes of Deaths in the Philippines (Preliminary as of May 31, 2022). 
Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/2022-causes-deaths-philippines-preliminary-31-may-2022 (date last 
accessed September 5, 2022). 
March 29, 2023
11:03 pm
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(developed through the partial hydrogenation of oils).4 In the United States of America, 
its Food and Drug Administration has determined that partial hydrogeneration of oils 
(PHOs), the major source of industrially-produced or artificial trans fatty acids in the 
food supply, are no longer “Generally Recognized as Safe” and called for a transition 
to eliminate its usage in foods.5 Other countries have also implemented best practice 
policies for TFA elimination or mandatory limits, such as Singapore, Brazil, United 
Kingdom, and India, among others.6 
In 2021, the Department of Health (DOH) took a step forward in adopting DOH 
Administrative Order No. 2021-0039, or the “National Policy on the Elimination of 
Industrially-Produced Trans-Fatty Acids for the Prevention and Control of Non-
Communicable Diseases,”7 which was followed by the issuance of the Food and Drug 
Administration Circular No. 2021-028, or the “Guidelines for Prepackaged Processed 
Food Products Containing Trans-Fatty Acids.”8 The Circular, among others, prohibited 
the production, importation, and distribution for commercial sale or use of industrially-
produced TFA and processed food products containing industrially-produced TFA. 
The bill seeks to institutionalize the nutrition policy of eliminating TFA from 
Filipinos’ diet and prevent the further spread of cardiovascular-related health risks. 
The bill is in response to the World Health Organization’s firm commitment to a Trans 
Fat Free world by 2023. 
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
4 Food and Drug Administration, Guidelines for Prepackaged Processed Food Products Containing Trans-Fatty 
Acids (TFA), FDA Circular No. 2021-028. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov.ph/fda-circular-no-2021-028-
guidelines-for-prepackaged-processed-food-products-containing-trans-fatty-acids-tfa/.  
5 US Food and Drug Administration, Trans Fat. Retrieved From https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-
petitions/trans-
fat#:~:text=In%202015%2C%20FDA%20determined%20that,cannot%20add%20PHOs%20to%20foods (date last 
accessed September 5, 2022). 
6 December 7, 2021, Countries with regulations protecting people from industrially produced trans fat tripled over 
the past year, World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/07-12-2021-countries-
with-regulations-protecting-people-from-industrially-produced-trans-fat-tripled-over-the-past-year 
(date 
last 
accessed September 5, 2022). 
7 Department of Health, National Policy on the Elimination of Industrially-Produced Trans-Fatty Acids for the 
Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, DOH AO No. 2021-0039.  
8 Food and Drug Administration, Guidelines for Prepackaged Processed Food Products Containing Trans-Fatty 
Acids, FDA Circular No. 2021-028. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT FILIPINOS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF 
TRANS-FATTY ACIDS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Trans-Fat Free Philippines 
Act”. 
SEC. 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 also 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. In this regard, the State shall protect Filipinos from the threat of death and 
diseases linked to TFA consumption by progressively removing industrially-produced 
TFA from the food supply. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – For the purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
a)
Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) refers to an authorization issued by
the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) for specific health products, including food,
after evaluation and approval of appropriate documents;
b)
Food refers to 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
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fats, whether sold alone or incorporated in processed food and/or prepackaged 
food; 
 
c) 
Food business operator refers to a person engaged in the food business 
including one’s agents and is responsible for ensuring that the requirements of 
this Act and Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise known as the Food Safety Act of 
2013;  
 
d) 
Food Service Establishment refers to any establishment that prepares, serves, 
markets, sells, or offers for sale, food or drink to be consumed within the 
establishment or taken-out; 
 
e) 
Partially Hydrogenated Oil (PHO) refers to fat or oil that has been 
hydrogenated, but not to complete or near complete saturation, and with an 
iodine value greater than four (4), as determined by a method that is suitable for 
this analysis; 
 
f) 
Prepackaged Food refers to processed food prepared in advance and placed 
in a container, labelled and ready for sale or distribution, or for catering purposes; 
 
g) 
Processed Food refers to any food that has been subjected to any action that 
substantially alters the initial raw materials or product or ingredients; and 
 
h) 
Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA) refers to all fatty acids with a double bond in the trans 
configuration or are produced as a by-product when fats and oils are modified 
using industrial processing techniques.  
 
  
SEC. 4. Scope and Application. – This Act shall apply to all food business 
operators as defined in this Act.  
 
  
SEC. 5. 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 100g, excluding TFA content 
from ruminant sources.  
 
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.  
 
  
SEC. 6. 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 processed and 
prepackaged foods are prohibited: 
 


a) 
Those prepared with PHOs, including food prepared by food service 
establishments; 
 
b) 
Those prepared with oils and fats made or blended with PHOs, including food 
prepared by food service establishments; and 
 
c) 
Those with TFA content of more than 2g per 100g of total fat, excluding TFA 
content from ruminant sources. 
 
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. 
 
  
SEC. 7. 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.  
 
  
SEC. 8. Material Misrepresentation. – Any material misrepresentation in the 
application for a CPR with the FDA, specifically relating to TFA or PHO content, 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. 
 
 
SEC. 9. Assistance and Capacity Building for Local Implementation and 
Enforcement. – The FDA shall strengthen the capacity of local government units 
(LGUs) in enforcing the provisions of this Act, including the provision of trainings and 
other capacity-building activities in the regulation of prepackaged and processed food 
produced and marketed in traditional markets and food service establishments in 
accordance with Republic Act No. Republic Act No. 10611, otherwise known as the 
Food Safety Act of 2013.  Such assistance shall include, but not be limited, to technical 
assistance, the use of laboratories for testing and sharing of information relevant to 
products registered with the FDA.  
 
  
SEC. 10. Research and Development. – The Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST), in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the 
Department of Health (DOH) and other relevant agencies, shall conduct and intensify 
its research to identify and develop healthy alternative oils and food products, 
including, but not limited, to:  
 
a) 
Healthy alternative oilseeds through crop diversification programs and 
agricultural research, in coordination with the DA;  
 
b) 
Healthy oils and fats through the application of oil modification techniques and 
other methods; and  
 
c) 
Healthy food products through product reformulation, research and development. 
 


The DOST shall also coordinate with the FDA in developing or adopting technology 
that will reduce the cost of TFA testing. 
 
  
SEC. 11. Oilseeds Crop Diversification. – The DA shall implement an 
oilseeds crop diversification program, and in coordination with the DOST, conduct 
continuing research and development to support the production of healthy alternative 
oilseeds. 
 
  
SEC. 12. Trainings and Seminars on Reformulation and Information 
Campaign. – The DOH, in coordination with FDA, Department of Trade and Industry-
Philippine Trade Training Center (DTI-PTTC), DOST Philippine Council for Health 
Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), DOST-Food and Nutrition Research 
Institute (DOST-FNRI), DILG, and the Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority (TESDA), 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 healthy alternative oils as determined by the 
DOH and DOST. 
 
  
The DOH shall also regularly conduct information, education and 
communication campaigns regarding TFA and its dangers, the contents of this Act, 
the value of having a healthy diet, proper methods of heating and reheating of cooking 
oils, and alternative oils available in the market. For this purpose, it shall also prepare 
relevant materials, which shall be posted and regularly updated on its website, and as 
far as practicable, be translated in regional languages.  
   
  
SEC. 13. Inspection Powers and Record-Keeping. – The FDA, through its 
authorized agents, shall have the power to inspect the premises and records of food 
business operators to determine compliance with this Act. The FDA shall issue 
inspection procedures and guidelines on record-keeping for this purpose.  
 
  
SEC. 14. Penalties. – Any violation of this Act shall be meted out a fine of Fifty 
Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) up to One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00), depending 
on the severity and frequency of the violation/s, and the gross sales, capital investment 
and number of employees of the establishment concerned.  In proper cases, the CPR 
and License to Operate issued by FDA and/or the certificate of registration issued by 
the Securities and Exchange Commission shall also be revoked, and the 
corresponding closure of the business.  
 
  
In addition to the administrative penalties, the FDA shall also seize, condemn, 
destroy and/or recall non-compliant food products.  
 
  
SEC. 15. Resources and Manpower. – To ensure the proper implementation 
of this Act, the FDA, if appropriate, shall create additional plantilla positions, subject to 
relevant rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the 
approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).  
 
  
In addition, the FDA shall ensure that all relevant government laboratories have 
the proper equipment and resources to conduct testing of TFA content in food. The 
FDA shall also ensure that all personnel responsible for the implementation of this Act 
are properly trained on TFA regulation, testing, monitoring and surveillance.  


 
  
SEC. 16. Duty-free Importation of TFA Testing Equipment. – To ensure the 
availability of laboratories capable of testing TFA content in food, and to incentivize 
the private sector in investing in such, the importation of laboratory equipment for 
testing TFA shall be exempt from payment of customs duties and taxes. 
 
  
SEC. 17. Early compliance Incentives for MSMEs. – The DTI, in coordination 
with the DILG, shall develop and implement policies and programs providing 
incentives for MSMEs to encourage early voluntary compliance with this Act. 
 
  
SEC. 18. Reports. – The DOH, not later than June 30 of each year, shall submit 
a report to the President and both Houses of Congress regarding the implementation 
of this Act. The annual report shall also include a report on the consumption of TFA, 
which shall be included in the Expanded National Nutrition Survey, and testing and 
monitoring of TFA content in food, which shall be included in the Food Composition 
Tables and Food Composition Databases.  
  
 
  
SEC. 19. Transitory Provisions. – Food business operators shall have a 
period of two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act to comply with the provisions of 
this Act.  
 
  
SEC. 20. Appropriations. – The funds necessary for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the concerned 
agencies. Thereafter, such funds as necessary for the effective implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Act.  
 
  
All fines and fees that may be collected from the enforcement of this Act shall 
be used exclusively for its implementation.  
 
 
SEC. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in consultation with FDA, National Nutrition 
Council (NNC), DILG, DTI, DOST, DA, and other relevant government agencies and 
stakeholders, shall issue the and regulations for the effective implementation of this 
Act. 
 
 
SEC. 22. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be 
affected thereby.   
 
 
SEC. 23. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, issuances, rules and 
regulations or part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.  
 
 
SEC. 24. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,