Law on food safety with MVR 1m fine to kick-off on Friday
According to the minister, establishments will be checked when the public sends a picture of the dubious place or food to a viber number.
By
Aminath Shifleen
A law will be enforced from Friday to impose fines of up to MVR 1 million on food processing establishments that violate the prescribed standards and regulations.
Health minister Abdullah Khaleel announced the new law on Thursday amid a recent increase in the sale of unclean and unsafe food items.
The law, which comes into force on Friday, gives the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) a number of powers to ensure the safety of food sold to the public. They have been given the power to fine and close down any establishment that produces food in violation of the standards and regulations.
The minister said that if food is produced and sold in violation of the rules, a fine of up to MVR 1 million can be imposed. Criminal action will also be taken against the person.
The Act also sets standards for cleanliness.
“The rules made under the Act will have instructions to label the manufacturer’s address so that the state can know where the pack of gulha packet sold at the corner shop was manufactured. Only then will we know where it was prepared,” the minister said.
He said the most difficult thing in identifying people who make and sell unsafe food is that the manufacturer is often unknown. Therefore, under this Act, food can only be sold with the information of the place of origin and the person responsible made visible in the packaging, he said.
"The law will then allow us to track the food. Then if there is any problem, we will hold the right person accountable," Khaleel said.
According to him:
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The MFDA does not have the power to inspect and take action against food manufacturers. With the implementation of this bill, they will have the power to inspect and take action
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The MFDA will then have the power to close non-compliant establishments and allow them to reopen only if they improve
It has also made it easier for the public to report illegal and unsafe food. According to the minister, establishments will be checked when the public sends a picture of the dubious place or food to a Viber number that will be provided by the ministry. The number will be announced soon, the minister said.
Under the Public Health Act, a programme of inspections of registered food and beverage establishments has been conducted since January. Khaleel said 1,579 establishments have been inspected so far and at least 14 establishments have been closed down. After improvements and meeting the standards, all but one have been allowed to reopen.
Immigration is also closing down many illegal foreign businesses and taking action against delinquent people. None of these establishments were registered.
