The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) announced on Monday that it will begin closing down unauthorised food establishments in the coming weeks under the newly enacted Food Safety Act.
This month's annual inspection will be intensified to enforce stricter provisions regarding registration, cleanliness, and product standards.
From 21 to 30 September, FDA officials will conduct inspections across Malé, Hulhumalé, Villimalé, and the industrial island, Thilafushi. The enforcement will be a joint operation with the Male’ City Council and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
Senior Public Health Officer at FDA, Fathimath Rasheeda underscored that the law now requires all food businesses to be officially registered and licensed.
"When the law comes into force, all places must be registered under this law. So places will be checked to see if they are registered in accordance with the regulations," she said.
According to Rasheeda, the inspections will focus on three key areas including confirming an establishment's registration, checking the validity of its permit and assessing general cleanliness.
The new legislation marks a significant change in food safety enforcement, introducing stricter regulations for food import, labeling, production, and sales. It also introduces far heavier penalties for negligence.
Under the Food Safety Act, fines for violations can range from USD 648.5 to USD 64,850.8, depending on the severity of the offense. The FDA also warned that information on non-compliant establishments may be made public.
In addition to fines and closures, the law grants the FDA enhanced powers to take punitive action against violators. This comes amid public complaints and concerns about unsanitary practices, particularly among unregistered vendors.
FDA has urged all food establishments to ensure their full compliance with the new law to avoid penalties and contribute to a safer food environment for consumers.