Government on Monday launched a mass inspection of food safety in restaurants, cafes and marketplaces across the country ahead of the upcoming Holy month of Ramadan.
The Ministry of Health, the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are jointly conducting the initiative. The inspections will take place from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Monday across the country.
The Ministry said the inspection was being conducted to ensure that food items sold in shops and markets comply with the health and safety standards under the Food Safety Act.
The inspection will include checking whether shops and markets are pest-controlled and how food is stored in refrigerators, the Ministry said.
Officials will also check whether the label instructions for keeping certain foods at certain temperatures are being adhered to, in addition to expiry dates, food packaging, labeling and storage.
Maldives has introduced a special Food Safety Act, aiming to enhance food safety and security which was ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in August last year.
The Act will strengthen the quality and the labelling of food produced and sold by households. It allows MFDA to identify and monitor the place of food preparation and the individual as well. The health ministry has also revealed plans to issue licences to households selling food items. Arrangements have also been made to register the foreigners working in cafes and hotels and conduct awareness programmes for them regarding cleanliness.