Reusing PET bottles poses health risks, MFDA says as it orders immediate halt to practice

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has ordered vendors to stop selling food and beverages in used plastic bottles, warning that the practice poses health risks.

In a decree issued on Sunday, the authority said it has observed food items being packed in empty drinking‑water and soft‑drink bottles, even though these containers are not designed for reuse. The document notes that the bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a disposable plastic intended for single use. The MFDA states that PET bottles “are not suitable for refilling with other food products,” and that reusing them could cause chemical leaching that contaminates food and harms consumers.

The authority said it believes the continued use of such bottles to sell various beverages in the market could allow plastic compounds to migrate into food, posing a risk to human health. It has therefore instructed vendors to immediately stop using empty PET bottles for packaging.

The decree also provides contact numbers for further information: 3034213 and 7603204.

Reusing PET bottles is common in local markets, especially for selling coconut water and homemade drinks. However, international food‑safety guidelines warn that repeated washing, heat exposure, and wear can degrade PET, increasing the likelihood of chemical release and bacterial growth, risks that MFDA is now formally addressing.