Food Safety Act (Act No. 6/2024).

The Food Safety Act of Maldives provides a comprehensive framework for the regulation of food safety. 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.
Chapter 1 lays down the main objectives of the Act, the definition of food and exclusions as to what does not constitute as food. Chapter 2 contains the responsibilities of the Minister in charge of food, and the Councils, respectively. It establishes the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (Authority) and lays down the powers and responsibilities thereof. A National Food Safety and Quality Board is established to advise the Authority on food quality and health safety. It also provides for the establishment of scientific committees, technical panels and task forces, a National Health Laboratory and referral laboratories.
Chapter 3 contains provisions relating to food safety standards, which prohibit the manufacture, preparation, packing, storing, transport, export, import, sale and use of adulterated, contaminated and unclean food and foodstuffs that do not meet the prescribed standards or is unsuitable for human consumption. The packaging and labelling must be as per standards prescribed by the Act and regulations thereunder. In chapter 4, standards for food businesses and establishments are laid include which covers all aspects such as preparation, storage, advertising, transport and sale of food. Chapter 5 requires licence and registration of food establishments with the Authority before commencing activities. The procedure for registration and issuance of licence is laid down. Chapter 6 contains provisions pertaining to import and export of foodstuff.
Chapter 7 makes provisions for inspection and sampling of food by food inspectors. The powers and responsibilities of food inspectors are laid down. Chapter 8 deals with disease outbreak notification and investigations. It requires the Authority to prescribe regulations for traceability of entire food supply chain. Further, recall and market withdrawal procedures are provided. Chapter 9 contains offences and penalties. Chapter 10 provides for filing of complaints and action to be taken by the Authority upon such complaints. Chapter 11 gives power to the Authority to makes rules and regulations on matters mentioned therein. It also contains definitions.