Regulation introducing fines up to MVR 1M for mislabeling food products

Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has gazetted the new ‘Regulation on Food Packaging and Labeling’, introducing stricter requirements and fines up to MVR 1 million for the mislabeling of food products produced in, imported into, or exported from the Maldives.

With the implementation of the regulation, the previously enforced ‘National Standard for Labeling Pre-packaged Food’ has been repealed.

The regulation aims to establish comprehensive standards governing food packaging and labeling while strengthening enforcement measures against non-compliance. Under the new regulation, the sale of food products that are either unlabeled or misleadingly labeled is strictly prohibited. Businesses have been granted a six-month transition period to ensure that existing pre-packaged products comply with the new requirements.

MFDA has been granted authority to impose significant financial penalties for violations of the regulation. Breaches of labeling requirements will carry fines ranging from MVR 10,000 to MVR 1 million. In cases involving repeat offenders with more than five violations, the Authority may impose the maximum fine and revoke the business’s operating license or registration.

Additionally, the sale of food products bearing deceptive labels will be subject to fines ranging between MVR 10,000 and MVR 750,000. Such violations may also result in the temporary suspension of the business license for a specified period.

The regulation further empowers the MFDA to impose the maximum penalty even for a first-time offence, depending on the seriousness of the violation. Where an offence also constitutes a criminal act under the Penal Code, the matter may be referred for criminal prosecution.

The new framework also introduces strict standards governing food packaging materials, requiring all food products to be packaged using food-grade materials. These materials must be capable of protecting the product throughout its shelf life without causing any deterioration or adverse changes to the food.

Among the key provisions of the regulation is a ban on the reuse of single-use plastic containers, including PET bottles, for food packaging purposes. Violations of packaging material requirements will carry fines ranging from MVR 5,000 to MVR 100,000.