The Maldives is moving to implement stricter packaging and labelling requirements under its Food Safety Act, as regulators finalise a set of rules aimed at standardising how food products are presented and monitored in the domestic market.
The Food Safety Act, ratified in May 2024, establishes a framework governing the import and export of food, quality control standards, operational requirements for food service establishments, and broader food safety oversight. It also sets out penalties for violations related to food handling and distribution.
According to the Maldives Food and Drug Authority, the draft regulation on food packaging and labelling has been completed and, following advice from the Attorney General, has been submitted to the President’s Office for final approval.
The authority is currently drafting 21 regulations under the Act. Among these, food labelling has been identified as a key area, given its role in providing product information to consumers. Approximately 96 per cent of food products available in the Maldives are imported.
Previous efforts to translate foreign-language labels into Dhivehi or English began in 2015. The new regulation is expected to formalise and expand these requirements. Under the proposed framework, the practice of re-labelling products after clearance from port will be significantly restricted and permitted only for designated categories.
The regulations will also outline procedures for recalling and destroying non-compliant food items and define the responsibilities of food inspectors.
Under the Act, fines ranging from MVR 10,000 to MVR 750,000 may be imposed for offences including food adulteration, misleading labelling, importing prohibited food items, or selling products deemed unsafe for consumption. Where violations result in serious harm or endanger life, fines of up to MVR 1,000,000 may apply.
The labelling requirements are set to mandate disclosure of the manufacturing company, ingredient lists, allergy warnings, expiry dates, and appropriate storage conditions, including temperature specifications where relevant.
The implementation timeline and enforcement mechanisms will depend on the final approval and publication of the regulations.
