Mandatory Food Testing to Ensure Safety Under New Bill, Says Health Minister

Minister of Health Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has stated that under the new Food Safety Bill, all imported food will be subject to mandatory testing to guarantee its safety prior to entering the country.

In a press conference on Thursday, Dr Khaleel detailed the significant powers the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) will acquire once President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratifies the bill, which has recently been passed by parliament.

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The new legislation mandates that food be tested before entering the country, a shift from the current system where testing is conducted at random. 

Dr Khaleel assured that food products would be allowed entry only after being tested and deemed safe. He also acknowledged the current limitations in testing locally produced food due to the various chemicals used in local farming. To address this, there are ongoing discussions about sending samples abroad for testing.

The Food Safety Bill categorises food into ten sections, including plant produce, animal parts, processed food, dietary supplements, and chewing ingredients such as betel leaves and areca nut. The bill is set to be implemented within three months of ratification.