Unregistered production and sale of food to be fined by up to MVR 500,000

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) announced that homemade food products and items sold at cafes and restaurants without registration will face hefty fines.

The regulation outlining the transitional procedure for the registration and licensing of food service establishments and entities published by MFDA yesterday requires all food service providers to self register with the authority by 23rd February of next year.

It also requires food service providers previously registered with MFDA or another government agency to resubmit applications to a new license within six months.

According to the regulations, it is prohibited to provide food service or operate such businesses without registering within the allocated period. Those in violation will face fines between MVR 10,000 and MVR 500,000 depending on the type of violation.

Food services include the production, preparation, sale, import, export, storage, delivery, packaging, donation and trade of all food and beverages.

MFDA has opened its 'Dhirithi' portal for registration and license applications, while the applications can also be submitted via the government's oneGov portal.

While both portals detail the businesses which are required to register, the only exemptions are for temporary markets, vehicles and stands. However, these establishments are also required to adhere to the MDFA standards.

According to the regulations, most establishments will be issued a one-year license, while factories exporting to the European Union will be issued a six-month license.

A separate fee would also be charged for these licenses, said MFDA.

MFDA issued this new regulation after special operations by Immigration unearthed cases where common food products used by the public were being prepared under unhygienic conditions by some expatriates.