The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has announced that, beginning this Sunday, all private food manufacturers must file their registration through the Government’s integrated OneGov digital platform.
The move replaces the manual, on‑site application process that has been in place for years, aligning the regulator with the country’s broader e‑governance agenda.
Starting on 7 June, the portal will also handle the conversion of food producers and sellers seeking self‑sufficiency certification. To facilitate the transition, the MFDA will suspend its in‑person registration service at 2:00 pm on 3 June. From Sunday onwards, new applications and renewals will be accepted exclusively via the OneGov portal, while the authority’s staff continue to migrate existing registrants onto the system.
The One Gov platform already hosts a range of MFDA functions—registration and authorisation of imported food and medicines, as well as the issuance of border health clearances for incoming shipments, have been available online for some months.
In parallel, the MFDA has drafted and promulgated a 2024 regulation that outlines a transitional procedure for cafés, restaurants, hotels and other large food‑service establishments. The regulation streamlines the licensing process for these entities, ensuring a clearer pathway to compliance over the coming year.
The new rule does not require formal registration for food outlets operating within residential neighbourhoods or for temporary vendors—such as market stalls and mobile carts. However, these operators must still produce and sell food in line with the MFDA’s safety and quality standards.
For further information or assistance, MFDA has asked stakeholders to contact the MFDA hotline at +960 7603204 or +960 3034221.