Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
TO PROTECT FILIPINOS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF TRANS-FATTY ACIDS, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
One of the leading causes of death in the Philippines is coronary heart disease (CHD). According to World 
Health Organization’s data published in 2018, deaths due to coronary heart disease have reached 120,800 
or 19.83% of total deaths in the Philippines. In 2016 data by WHO, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) amount 
to 35% of the total deaths due to non-communicable diseases. Considering the upward trend of CVD 
deaths, and under the constitutional provision to promote and protect the people’s right to health, it is 
imperative that the State address the problem of CHD and CVD mortalities.  
With CVDs, prevention is better than cure. Preventive health care and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle 
is a significant pillar of public health.  As such we must look into the causes of CVDs and how we can curb 
them. Consumption of industrially produced trans-fatty acids (TFA) is strongly associated with an increased 
risk of coronary heart disease, which is the most common among CVDs. According to WHO, more than 
500,000 deaths in the world in 2010 were attributed to increased intake of TFA. As industrially produced 
TFA have no known health benefits, its elimination from the food supply is an effective intervention to 
reduce the risk of CVDs and improve the nutritional quality of diets.  
In this regard, this proposed measure seeks to regulate TFA in the nation’s food supply, in recognition of 
the people’s right to safe and nutritious food free from substances that could increase their risk of 
contracting deadly diseases. This measure shall prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, and 
sale of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), oils, and fats with high TFA content, and prepackaged and 
processed food with PHOs and high TFA content.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the Filipino 
people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 22, 2022
5:00 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
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 toward universal health 
care. 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.  
SECTION 3. Definitions of Terms. – For this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows: 
(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
acids or monounsaturated fatty acids and with low levels of saturated fatty acids.
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(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 the entry of such article into 
the Philippines. 
 
(g) Industrially-Produced TFA – trans-fatty acids created as a by-product 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, re-packaging, 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 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, labeled and 
ready for sale or distribution, or 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 the 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 regarding 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. Training and Seminars on Reformulation. – The DOH, in coordination with FDA, DTI, 
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 
training 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 the 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. 
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 100g 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, labeling, marketing, 
or advertising, that a food product is TFA free 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 about 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 about the following food products: 
(a) 
Processed and prepackaged food – The FDA shall enforce the provisions of this Act regarding 
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 about 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 about 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 about 
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 in 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 violate 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 violate 
Section 13 of this Act: 


(a) For the first violation, a fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Pl00,000.00) but not 
more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) and suspension of the CPR and/or LTO 
for 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 therefore 
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 non-compliant 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 DTI-PAB shall develop, issue, and publish accreditation procedures and 
qualification requirements for testing facilities within· six (6) months from the effectiveness 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 enough resources and 
manpower are 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 of 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 non-compliant 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. – Under 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 a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Approved,