New act empowers authorities, will take action: Minister Khaleel

With the enforcement of the Food Safety Act effective from Friday onward, the Ministry of Health and relevant authorities will have the power to take legal action against unregistered and illegal food producers and vendors, said Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Food Safety Act earlier on May 23, which will be in effect from Friday onward.

The minister confirmed the authority’s expanded powers with the new act at the press conference on Thursday.

Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) will have added powers with the act’s implementation, including the discretion to fine illegal or unregistered food vendors and businesses between MVR 50,000 and MVR 100,000. MFDA will also have the power to seal such venues under the new act.

“Upon enforcement of the act, MFDA will have increased authority including the power to shut down illegal or unregistered businesses, or permit them to reopen after they resolve their issues,” Dr. Khaleel said.

Khaleel said expatriates found violating the act will be subsequently deported, and noted that majority of the food producers supplying to local shops are unregistered, making it difficult to track them.

With the new act’s implementation, Minister Khaleel said, authorities will have better scope of monitoring and tracking unregistered businesses.

Additionally, food producers are required to use labels identifying them on packaged food.

The ministry will be issuance license numbers to registered food producers, which should be included in the labels.

“Right now, it is difficult to report cases related to food production. The ministry will establish a communication channel so public can report offenses to us via WhatsApp or Viber,” Khaleel added.

The minister affirmed he will not deter in the efforts to ensure food safety, and assured the relevant authorities will amplify their efforts of monitoring and regulating food production and sale.

The Food Safety Act provides a comprehensive framework for the regulation of food safety, and ensures all food products, whether locally produced, imported, or exported are devoid of harmful substances and comply with established standards.

The act outlines the procedures and standards for food safety, which must be adhered to by all stakeholders in the food industry, and prescribes necessary procedures and standards to ensure food items are safe for human consumption.

The primary objective of the act is to establish standards for various aspects of food production and preparation to ensure the safety of food items, which includes packaging, labeling, preservation, storage, trade, supply, and distribution.

Additionally, the act specifies the hygiene standards that individuals engaged in the above mentioned operations must comply with to guarantee food safety.