MFDA becomes active, serves notice to four food businesses

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has become active, serving notices to four food establishments in Male’ on Tuesday.

MFDA, in collaboration with the Health Ministry, Health Protection Agency (HPA), and the Male’ City Council inspected six food establishments in Male’ on Tuesday, in response to complaints of food safety violations.

The six establishments are:

• Member Hotel, M. Kafagasdhoshuge
• 1979 Shop
• Dhonmanik, M. Huivani
• Café Corner, M. Honey Suckle
• The Cabin (takeaway), M. Honey Suckle
• M. Honey Suckle (an unregistered home-based food business)

Four of the establishments were served with notices for suspension of business due to poor hygiene standards. They are:

• Member Hotel, M. Kafagasdhoshuge
• The Cabin (takeaway), M. Honey Suckle
• Café Corner, M. Honey Suckle
• M. Honey Suckle (an unregistered home-based food business)

The four establishments will not be allowed to resume business until a follow-up inspection confirms they have remedied the violations.

The MFDA also issued notices to 10 food establishments in Hulhumale’ for food safety violations last week.

An additional eight food establishments in Hulhumale’ Phase II were also served with notice on August 22, after an operation led by Maldives Immigration found the establishments lacked electricity and running water.

Meanwhile, two home-based food businesses run by migrant workers were shut down on August 24, due to poor hygiene. The establishments were run out of guesthouses in M. Ekifaru and H. Bianca.

A special operation targeting illegal businesses run by migrants has uncovered multiple illegal businesses where food items commonly sold in stores and cafes are prepared in dilapidated houses and in unhygienic conditions.

Health Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has promised to shut down such businesses.

The Food Safety Act, which took effect on August 23, grants the MFDA additional powers, including the authority to penalize unregistered businesses with closure and fines of MVR 50,000 to MVR 100,000.