Authorities have ordered the closure of 45 food establishments in the Greater Malé Region after inspections uncovered multiple violations of national food safety standards.
The crackdown comes as part of a large-scale enforcement drive under the recently enacted Food Safety Act. Over a four-day period, officials inspected 400 outlets across Malé, Hulhumalé, Vilimalé, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi. The campaign, which began on 21 September and will run until 30 September, marks a tougher approach to annual reviews with strengthened oversight powers.
The operation is being jointly carried out by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), Malé City Council, and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). Inspectors are targeting a wide range of businesses, including cafés, restaurants, teashops, and takeaway providers, with a particular focus on outlets operating without the necessary permits.
MFDA officials stressed that the new Food Safety Act is being fully enforced, empowering regulators to impose fines ranging from USD 648 to USD 64,830 depending on the severity of violations. Establishments found operating without valid licences face immediate closure, with their names set to be publicly disclosed.
The legislation requires all businesses dealing with food to register and obtain specialised operating licences. It also introduces stricter rules on importation, labelling, production, and retail, aiming to improve safety standards across the entire supply chain.
To carry out inspections systematically, Malé has been divided into six sectors, with dedicated teams from the MFDA and City Council assigned to each area. Once work in the capital concludes, inspectors are expected to continue the campaign in Vilimalé before moving on to other islands within the Greater Malé area.
