The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has granted businesses a six-month grace period to comply with newly introduced regulations on food packaging and labelling.

In a statement issued today, the MFDA said the additional time would allow businesses to ensure that food products currently on the market, as well as newly imported and locally produced items, meet the requirements of the newly gazetted Food Packaging and Labelling Regulation.

Under the regulation, the use of single-use PET bottles for packaging food products has been prohibited.

The regulation also outlines penalties for non-compliance. Repeat offenders may face fines of up to MVR 1 million, while the MFDA has the authority to revoke business licences.

In addition, criminal charges may be pursued against those who violate the regulation. Consumers who suffer harm as a result of unsafe food products will also have the right to seek compensation.

The MFDA urged those seeking further information on the regulation to contact its Food Control Division on 3034217 or email [email protected].