Food Vendors Warned by MFDA for Using Misleading Lab Reports and Health Claims
- The MFDA has prohibited food vendors from using laboratory test reports and unverified health claims in advertisements.
- Regulation R-26/2025 bans lab analysis reports in food promotions and forbids marketing food as disease treatments.
- The authority urged consumers to be cautious when buying food products that market health benefits.
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has issued a warning prohibiting food manufacturers and traders from using laboratory test reports and unverified health claims in product advertisements.
In a press release issued today, the regulatory body under the Ministry of Health, Family and Social Services stated that it has observed businesses using lab analysis documents to market locally produced and imported food items by falsely implying specific health benefits.
The authority highlighted that Article 13(a) of Regulation No. R-26/2025 (Regulation on Food Advertising) strictly bans the use of laboratory analysis reports, referral laboratory “Certificates of Analysis”, or any extracts from such documents in food promotional material.
Furthermore, the MFDA reminded the public and traders that advertising food items as disease treatments or as products capable of producing specific physical changes violates Articles 7(a) and 9(b) of the same regulation. The directive follows an earlier warning issued regarding similar marketing practices.
The regulator emphasised that any health-related claims accompanying food products must rely on accurate, scientifically proven research. It noted that vendors currently sell numerous unverified products with unbacked health claims across the Maldivian market.
In light of these findings, the MFDA urged members of the general public to exercise heightened caution and vigilance when purchasing and consuming food products that market health benefits.
