President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Food Safety Act (Act No. 6/2024) today. The Parliament passed the Bill at the twenty-sixth sitting of its first session this year on Monday, May 13, 2024.
The Food Safety Act of Maldives provides a comprehensive framework for the regulation of food safety. It ensures that all food products, whether locally produced, imported, or exported, are devoid of harmful substances and comply with established standards.
The Act outlines the procedures and standards for food safety, which must be adhered to by all stakeholders in the food industry. It also prescribes the necessary procedures and standards to ensure food items are safe for human consumption.
In addition, the Act's primary objective is to establish standards for various aspects of food production and preparation to ensure the safety of food items. This includes, but is not limited to, packaging, labelling, preservation, storage, trade, supply, and distribution. The Act also outlines the standards and licensing requirements for establishments involved in these processes. Moreover, it specifies the hygiene standards that individuals engaged in these operations must comply with to guarantee the safety of food items.
The Food Safety Act was published in the Government Gazette upon ratification and will go into effect in three months.