President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu has officially established the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) under the recently enacted Food Security Act, assigning it as an agency within the Ministry of Health. This new development comes with significant changes and enhancements to the agency's powers and responsibilities.

In a statement issued yesterday, President Muizzu announced the dissolution of the previous Maldives Food and Drug Authority, which was also under the Ministry of Health. The new MFDA will retain the official number 182 for correspondence with government agencies, a legacy from its predecessor.

Under the new directive, the MFDA has gained extensive authority over food safety and regulation. The agency is now empowered to conduct inspections across all food establishments, including those involved in food preparation, storage, sale, import, and export.

The Food Security Act stipulates stringent penalties for non-compliance. Businesses trading without proper registration will face fines ranging from MVR 10,000 to MVR 500,000, depending on the scale of the operation. Additionally, the MFDA can revoke or withhold licenses from establishments deemed unfit, and serving food without a valid license will incur fines between MVR 10,000 and MVR 1,000,000, based on the severity of the offense.

These changes are expected to strengthen food safety standards and regulatory oversight in the Maldives, reflecting the government's commitment to improving public health and safety.