MFDA Shifts Private Food Producer Registrations to Digital OneGov Portal

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has transitioned all private food manufacturer registrations to the government's integrated OneGov digital platform, effective this Sunday. This strategic shift eliminates the long-standing manual, on-site application process, aligning the regulator with the Maldives' national e-governance agenda to improve efficiency and accessibility. Starting June 7, the portal will expand its capabilities to include the conversion of food producers and sellers seeking self-sufficiency certification. To ensure a seamless transition, the MFDA suspended in-person registration services at 2:00 pm on June 3. All new applications and renewals are now accepted exclusively through the OneGov portal, while authority staff work to migrate existing registrants into the digital system. The OneGov platform is already a hub for several critical MFDA functions. For several months, the portal has hosted the registration and authorization of imported food and medicines, as well as the issuance of border health clearances for incoming shipments. Alongside the digitalization of registrations, the MFDA has promulgated a 2024 regulation detailing transitional procedures for large-scale food-service establishments, including hotels, restaurants, and cafés. This new regulation is designed to streamline the licensing process, providing these entities with a clearer and more manageable pathway to compliance over the next year. Under the new rules, formal registration is not required for temporary vendors, such as mobile carts and market stalls, nor for food outlets operating within residential neighborhoods. However, the MFDA emphasized that these operators must still adhere strictly to established food safety and quality standards to protect public health. Stakeholders seeking further information or technical assistance with the new portal are encouraged to contact the MFDA hotline at +960 7603204 or +960 3034221.