Health Ministry deploys hotline number for food safety complaints

The Ministry of Health has introduced a dedicated hotline number for members of the public to report food safety and hygiene concerns.

Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel announced the hotline number via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

"If unsafe food is being produced or if the environment [in which the food is being prepared] is detrimental to health, report photos and videos to this number," he wrote, sharing an image with the hotline number 7603204.

Members will also be able to report other public health concerns to 7960121 via Whatsapp and Viber, or email [email protected]. Calls may also be made directly to 3024570 during official hours.

The introduction of these communication channels for public health and food safety concern comes after multiple cases of food prepared under unhygienic conditions came to light.

With the Food Safety Act coming into effect as of yesterday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu re-established Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), abolishing the previous MFDA which was under Health Service Provision Act.

Under the new Act, the MFDA retains authority to stop and take action against parties which prepare food under unsafe conditions as well as formulate strong policies on food production.

Violation of this Act may result in criminal charges with up to MVR one million in fines. This is a huge change from the previous penalty of a maximum of MVR 10,000 under the Public Health Act.