25 establishments providing food services without permission from the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) have been closed down.

Malé City Council said today that they started an operation yesterday in collaboration with MFDA to inspect food establishments in Malé and Vilimalé.

The operation is inspecting tea shops, cafes, restaurants, takeaways, and other places authorized by MFDA to provide food services, as well as places providing food services illegally without MFDA permission.

"Through this operation, places providing food services without MFDA permission, illegally, and places preparing and serving food unhygienically will be given notice and closed down. So far, 25 places have been closed down in this operation," the City Council said.

The operation is being carried out by dividing Malé into six neighborhoods, with a joint team from Malé City Council and MFDA active in each neighborhood. After completing the inspection of food establishments in Malé, they are also set to inspect places in Vilimalé.

The operation is scheduled to continue until next Thursday, and due to the large number of places that need to be checked, the City Council said they have decided to extend this period.