EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1954
S n#. TP; . Dec 15 2020 
(P
E-FILED
1:20 p.m
time;
3 INDEX
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
AN ACT TO PROTECT FILIPINOS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF TRANS 
FATTY ACIDS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Each year, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people, contributing 
to about 71% of all deaths globally. In the Philippines, NCDs account for 68% of deaths. 
One in every three Filipinos is likely to die before the age of 70 from one of the four major 
NCDs - cardiovascular disease (CVDs), cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases. 
Coronary heart disease (CHD), in particular, is the cause of nearly half of the world's 
NCD-related deaths and claims around 70,000 lives in the Philippines each year.
High intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) TFA increases the risk of death from any 
cause by 34% and CHD mortality and morbidity by as much as 23% and 28%, 
respectively. Every year more than half a million global deaths are attributed to TFA. 
Dubbed as the "tobacco of nutrition," TFA has no health benefits and is completely 
replaceable with no difference in taste or cost of food. Thus, the World Health 
Organization (WHO) published the REPLACE Technical Action Package as a road map 
towards a trans fat-free world by 2023.
Denmark, Argentina, Thailand, and Singapore have introduced policies to limit 
TFA consumption by banning partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the major source of 
TFA, and/or limiting TFA content in food. Countries that regulated TFA have seen a 
significant decline in CHD deaths. Denmark's regulation limiting TFA content to 2g per 
lOOg of fat in food products contributed to a 75% reduction in CHD-related deaths. In 
Argentina, an estimated 301 to 1,517 cardiac deaths every year were averted by 
eliminating industrially produced TFA, saving the government as much as USD 87 
million in healthcare costs annually.
The importance of addressing the problem of CHDs and CVDs as a whole has 
never been more pronounced than during this COVID-19 pandemic where patients with 
comorbidities, such as CHD, have a much higher risk of serious illness or death. As of 
June 8, 2020,49% of COVID-19 deaths in the Philippines had comorbidities. Now more


than ever, the need for preventative health care and healthy lifestyle promotion must be 
realized in line with the vision of universal health care.
According to the WHO, TFA elimination is considered as one of the simplest and 
most straightforward public health interventions to reduce the risk of CVDs and improve 
nutritional quality of diets. As more countries regulate TFA, countries without 
regulations become vulnerable to dumping of TFA-rich imported food. Thus, it is 
imperative to join the global movement to become TFA-free by 2023 through the urgent 
passing of this bill. Together, let us protect all Filipinos from the harmful effects of TFA 
and promote healthy hearts for all.
FRANefts NvPANGILINAN


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
FILED
NOEX
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN
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AN ACT TO PROTECT FILIPINOS FROM THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF 
TRANS FATTY ACIDS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted hy the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic 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".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the duty of the State to protect and promote the 
Filipinos' right to health 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.
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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 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.
b.
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. 
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.
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


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e.
g-
h.
k.
m.
n.
as oils and fats, whether sold alone or incorporated in processed food 
and/or prepackaged food.
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.
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.
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. 
Industrially-Produced TFA - Trans fat other than trans-fat naturally 
occurring in fat of animal origin.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
Prepackaged Food - processed food prepared in advance and placed in a 
container, labelled and ready for sale or distribution, or for catering 
purposes.
Processed Food - any food that has been subjected to any action that 
substantially alters the initial raw materials or product or ingredients. 
Retailer - any establishment that sells or offers to sell any food product 
directly to the general public.


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TFA- all fatty acids with a double bond in the trans configuration, 
regardless of whether they are produced industrially or come from 
ruminant sources.
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SEC 4. Scope and Application. - This Act shall apply to all food business operators as
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defined under Republic Act No. 10611 or the "Food Safety Act."
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ARTICLE II. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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SEC. 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);
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Department of Agriculture (DA);
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Department of Finance (DOF); and
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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.
SEC. 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 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.
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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.
SEC. 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;
Healthy oils and fats through the application of oil modification 
techniques and other methods; and
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.
11.
m.


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SEC. 8. Oilseeds Crop Diversification. - The DA shall implement an oilseeds crop
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diversification program and conduct continuing research and development to support
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the production of healthy alternative oilseeds in coordination with DOST.
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SEC. 9. Trainings and Seminars on Reformulation. - The DOH, in coordination with
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FDA, DTI, DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, DOST-Food
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and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), DILG, and the Technical Education and
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Skills Development Authority, shall conduct trainings and seminars for food business
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operators and food service establishments on the reformulation of food products to
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comply with the provisions of this Act, and the use of healthy alternatives of oils.
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ARTICLE III. PROHIBITED ACTS
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SEC. 10. Prohibition on the Manufacture, Importation, Distribution, and Sale ofPHOs
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and Oils and Fats with High TEA Content. - The manufacture, importation, distribution
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and sale of the following are prohibited:
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a. 
PHOs to be consumed alone or used in preparation of food products;
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b. 
Oils and fats made or blended with PHOs; and
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c. 
Oils and fats with TFA content of more than 2g per lOOg, excluding TFA
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content from ruminant sources.
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It shall be the burden of the manufacturer, importer, distributor or seller to demonstrate
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that TFA in excess of 2g per 100 g is from ruminant sources.
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No registration, license or permit shall be issued to any food manufacturer, importer or
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distributor that manufactures, imports, distributes, or sells food in violation of this
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provision.
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SEC. 11. Prohibition on the Manufacture, Importation, Distribution, and Sale of
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Processed and Prepackaged Food with PHOs and High TFA Contettt. - The manufacture,
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importation, distribution and sale of the following are prohibited:
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a. 
Processed and prepackaged food prepared with PHOs, including food
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prepared by food service establishments;
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b. 
Processed and prepackaged food prepared with oils and fats made or
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blended with PHOs, including food prepared by food service
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establishments; and
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Processed and prepackaged food with TFA content of more than 2g per
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lOOg of total fat, excluding TFA content from ruminant sources.
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It shall be the burden of the manufacturer, importer, distributor or seller to demonstrate
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that TFA content in excess of 2g per 100 g is from ruminant sources.
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No registration, license, or permit shall be issued to any food manufacturer, importer, or
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distributor for any processed or prepackaged food manufactured, imported, distributed
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or sold in violation of this provision.
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SEC. 12. Prohibition on Trans Fat Free Claims. - Claims on the packaging, labelling,
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marketing, or advertising, that a food product is TFA free is prohibited. A TFA free claim


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is any claim that states or suggests that the food product does not contain TFA, such as 
"Trans Fat Free," with "Og Trans Fat," or any other similar claim.
SEC. 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
SEC. 14. Enforcing Agencies. - The FDA and local government units (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.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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. In the case of imported processed and prepackaged food, the existing 
rules of procedure of the DOF-Bureau of Customs shall apply in the enforcement of this 
Act.
SEC. 17. Enforcetnetitfor 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.
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SEC. 18. Civil Society Participation for Monitoring and Surveillance. - The FDA shall
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implement programs encouraging citizen participation in the conduct of post-market
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monitoring and surveillance of TFA content in food and reporting violations of this Act.
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For this purpose, the FDA shall develop and publicize a web-based user-friendly
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consumer complaints portal to encourage citizen participation.
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ARTICLE V. FINES AND PENALTIES


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SEC. 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:
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;
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 
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.
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c.
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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 
(PI00,000.00) but not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P200,000.00) and suspension of the CPR and/or LTO one (1) year; and
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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.
SEC. 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.


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SEC. 21.0 ther Pern Hies. - In addition to the foregoing fines and penalties, the following
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sanctions may also be imposed:
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a. 
Seizure and condemnation, destruction, and/or appropriate disposition of
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non-compliant food products by the FDA; and/or
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Closure of establishment by the LGUs having jurisdiction.
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ARTICLE VI. TEA TESTING AND ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY
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SEC. 22. Accredited Laboratories and Testing Centers. - The FDA and DTI-Philippine
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Accreditation Board (PAB) shall jointly accredit public and private laboratories capable
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of testing TFA content in food. The FDA and DTI-PAB shall develop, issue, and publish
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accreditation procedures and qualification requirements for testing facilities within six
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(6) months from the effectivity of this Act. The FDA shall adopt mechanisms to reduce
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the cost of TFA testing in all accredited laboratories and testing centers.
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SEC. 23. Regional Laboratories and Testing Centers. - Regional laboratories and testing
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centers shall assist LGUs in monitoring and enforcing the provisions of this Act within
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their respective jurisdictions as provided in Section 14.
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SEC. 24. Resources and Manpower. - The FDA shall determine and ensure the sufficient
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number of resources and manpower needed for the implementation of this Act.
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In coordination with DOST, the FDA shall ensure that all FDA and DOST
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regional laboratories have the equipment and resources to conduct testing
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of TFA content in food.
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In coordination with relevant agencies, the FDA shall determine and ensure
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the adequacy of personnel trained on TFA regulation, testing, monitoring
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and surveillance.
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SEC. 25. Duty-free Importation of TFA Testing Equipment. - The importation of
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laboratory equipment for testing TFA shall be exempt from payment of customs duties
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and taxes.
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ARTICLE VII. INCENTIVES FOR REPLACING TFA
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SEC. 26. Early Compliance Incentives for MSMEs. - The DTI and LGUs, through its
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business process and licensing offices, shall develop and implement policies and
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programs providing incentives for MSMEs to encourage early voluntary compliance with
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this Act.
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SEC. 27. Expedited Processing for CPR Applications on Reformulated Products. - The
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FDA shall expedite the assessment of new CPR applications for food products
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reformulated in compliance with this Act.
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ARTICLE VIII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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SEC. 28. Consumer Information, Education, and Communication Program. - The DOH,
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in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency, Department of Education,
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Commission on Higher Education, and Department of Information and Communication
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Technology shall develop and implement a comprehensive information, education and


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communications program to raise public awareness on the provisions of this Act, the
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health harms resulting from TFA, sources of TFA in the diet, and ways to replace PHOs
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with healthy alternative oils and fats.
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SEC. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall develop and issue implementing rules and
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regulations (IRR) of this Act in consultation with NNC, FDA, DILG, DTI, DOST, DA, and
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other relevant government agencies and stakeholders.
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SEC. 30. Transitory Provisions. - Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act:
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a. 
Food manufacturers and importers shall comply with the additional
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requirements for CPR application as determined % the FDA; and
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b. 
Food business operators shall be allowed to sell their existing food products
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that do not comply with Sections 10 and 11 of this Act.
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All manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers of oils and fats, and food service
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establishments shall be required to submit their existing inventory of food products as of
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the date of effectivity of this Act to the FDA and DTI. Food business operators shall
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submit their inventory within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of the IRR of this Act to
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monitor the phase out of non-compliant food products.
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SEC. 31. Monitoring and Evaluation. - The DOH shall periodically report to the
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President and the Congressional Committees on Health, Agriculture and Food, and
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Trade and Industry on the implementation of this Act. The DOH shall, in coordination
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with DOST-FNRI, further monitor and evaluate the following:
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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
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.
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SEC. 32. Appropriations and Use of Fees, Charges, and Petialties. - The initial amount
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necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current
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appropriation of all concerned agencies. Such funds necessary for the continued
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implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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All fines and fees that may be collected from the enforcement of this Act shall be used
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exclusively for its implementation.
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SEC. 33. Conflict of Interest. - Pursuant to the fundamental objective of this Act to
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advance public health, the implementation and enforcement of this Act and the
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development of related policies shall promote multi-sectoral coordination while
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safeguarding against potential conflict of interest.
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SEC. 34. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
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remain valid and subsisting.


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SEC. 35. Repea ling Clause. - Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, all other
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laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and administrative regulations or parts
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thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 36. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,