The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has introduced and implemented new regulations governing the packaging and labeling of food products. Under these regulations, it is mandatory to use only food-grade materials for packaging. Furthermore, the importation or sale of food items that are labeled in a manner that poses a risk to public health or is misleading to consumers is strictly prohibited and carries substantial penalties.
Parties found in violation of these regulations may face fines ranging from MVR 10,000 to MVR 750,000. Additionally, the MFDA reserves the authority to suspend or revoke licenses based on the severity and frequency of the violations. In instances where an incorrectly labeled product results in harm to an individual’s health, a fine of up to MVR 1 million may be imposed. Furthermore, penalties for failing to meet packaging standards are set between MVR 5,000 and MVR 100,000.
With the enforcement of these new regulations, the previous national standards have been repealed. However, to facilitate a smooth transition, businesses have been granted a six-month grace period to bring their existing labeling and packaging into compliance with the newly established standards.
