Food safety authority set-up with major powers under new law
The MFDA, which previously had little legal power, has been abolished and re-established under the new law.
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has been re-established under a new Food Safety Act, which came into effect on Friday.
The law came into force amid a recent increase in the sale of unsanitary and unsafe food items. The MFDA, which previously had little legal power, has been abolished and re-established under the new law.
Under the new law, President Mohamed Muizzu re-established the MFDA on Friday.
To ensure the safety of foods with the public, the MFDA was given powers to impose fines and shut down establishments that violate established standards and regulations. They include:
-
If food is produced and sold illegally, a fine of up to MVR 1 million
-
Criminal action against the vendor
-
Raid food processing establishments to inspect them
-
Authority to close non-compliant premises and allow them to reopen upon correction
A programme of inspections of registered food and beverage establishments has been conducted since January, with 1,579 establishments inspected so far and at least 14 establishments closed. 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.
