DIY / Home-Based Food FDA Approval Guide (Philippines)
Step-by-step summary of how to get Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a DIY or home-made food product business in the Philippines, including typical requirements, fees, and timelines.
What you'll learn in this DIY food FDA guide
This DIY / home-based food FDA approval guide gives you a practical roadmap from basic business registration to getting a License to Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for your food products.
For complementary topics, you may also want to read our Barangay/LGU Business Permit Guide, BIR Business Registration Guide, and Mini Drugstore / Retail Pharmacy Guide for another FDA-linked business example.
Para ma-budget ang registration fees, labeling, at basic production costs, puwede mong gamitin ang Budget Calculator para sa capital at recurring gastos, ang Product Costing Calculator para sa costing per jar/pack, at ang Task Management System para sa deadlines (renewals, submissions, testing, etc.).
Basic flow: business setup → FDA license → product registration
1) Register your business legally
First, make sure you have a legally registered business:
- DTI business name registration if you are a sole proprietor.
- SEC registration if you will operate as a corporation or partnership.
You also need a valid business address and basic local permits (barangay clearance, Mayor’s/business permit, and related local requirements). In some LGUs, a properly set up home kitchen may be allowed if it passes sanitary checks.
2) Apply for a License to Operate (LTO) from FDA
Before registering any product, you must obtain an LTO from FDA as a food manufacturer, trader, or distributor.
Steps (high level):
- Create an account on the FDA e-Services Portal.
- Fill out the LTO application form for your establishment type.
- Prepare supporting documents, which may include: declaration of undertaking, business registration papers, address documents, and for manufacturers, basic floor/site plan and sanitation/food-safety documentation.
FDA will conduct a pre-assessment of your documents. If complete, you will be instructed to pay the LTO fee, and FDA may schedule inspections depending on risk level and rules.
3) Await FDA evaluation (and possible inspection)
After you submit your LTO application via the e-Portal, FDA checks for completeness and compliance. They may:
- Ask for clarifications or missing documents.
- Schedule an on-site inspection to verify your facility and processes.
Once cleared and after payment of fees, FDA issues your LTO. With an active LTO, you are allowed to proceed with product registration for your DIY/home-made food items.
4) Register each product via Certificate of Product Registration (CPR)
Every distinct food product and sometimes each variant or pack size needs its own CPR.
Key documents usually include:
- Complete formulation or ingredients list.
- Packaging and label artwork that complies with FDA labeling requirements.
- Photos of the final packaged product.
- For certain categories, laboratory test results or a Certificate of Analysis (COA) may be required — especially for higher-risk foods.
CPR applications are filed through the same FDA e-Portal under your LTO. FDA will evaluate each product separately.
5) Wait for FDA review, possible testing, and approval
FDA reviews your CPR application and may request product samples for testing. If everything passes, they issue a Certificate of Product Registration for that product.
Only after CPR approval should you market and sell the food product widely, especially online or in retail channels.
Typical fees & validity (based on recent guidelines)
| What you pay for | Approximate / typical cost / notes |
|---|---|
| Pre-assessment (CPR application) | Around ₱500 per application (non-refundable). |
| CPR for a high-risk food product | Example: ₱3,500/year (validity 3 years = ₱10,500) + legal research fee (~₱105). |
| LTO (initial license for food establishment) | Varies by business size; micro/small establishments pay lower fees than large ones. |
| CPR for simpler / lower-risk products | Lower fees may apply for low-risk or micro-enterprise products, depending on FDA classification. |
| CPR validity | Commonly 3 years (sometimes 6 years option) and renewable before expiry. |
Exact fees depend on risk classification (low/medium/high), business size, and how many products/variants you register. Always check the latest FDA fee schedule and circulars before applying.
Key things to prepare & watch out for
- Use the FDA e-Services Portal for both LTO and CPR applications; walk-in/physical filing is being phased out.
- You cannot obtain CPR without a valid LTO — LTO comes first.
- Product labels must meet FDA labeling rules: ingredients list, net content, nutrition (if required), allergen warnings, and manufacturer/packer details.
- If you are a micro- or home-based enterprise, FDA may classify you as small/low-risk, which can reduce some requirements and fees — but you still need both LTO and CPR to be fully compliant.
- Processing time can take several weeks to a few months, depending on completeness of your documents and FDA workload.
What this means if you want to run a DIY food business
For small or home-based food brands, the route is doable but requires planning and patience:
- Treat FDA approval as non-optional if you want to legally sell processed or packaged food at scale.
- Invest in proper labeling, documentation, and food-safety practices.
- Budget for at least business registration + local permits + FDA LTO + CPR for your first product — this can easily reach several thousand pesos.
- Expect a lead time of weeks to months before you can fully launch.