MFDA Temporarily Suspends OneGov Services for Food Licences

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has announced a four-day suspension of the OneGov online portal services. This pause is necessary to issue licenses and register establishments involved in the sale of food items. The temporary suspension is part of the broader transition of responsibilities from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to the MFDA following the re-establishment of the authority under the new Food Safety Act.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu re-established the MFDA as an authority under the Ministry of Health, empowering it to oversee and authorize food production facilities and markets across the Maldives. The Food Safety Act also grants the MFDA the power to take action against those who fail to meet the established hygienic standards. Additionally, the MFDA is now responsible for registering food establishments, ranking them, and issuing licenses, a role previously managed by the HPA.

As part of this transition, the services provided by the HPA through the OneGov portal will be transferred to the MFDA. Consequently, the portal’s services will be temporarily halted to accommodate this change.

The implementation of the Food Safety Act is aimed at strengthening the regulation of food production facilities and ensuring strict enforcement of hygiene standards. The MFDA's expanded responsibilities reflect the government's commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety across the Maldives.

The brief suspension of OneGov services is a necessary step in ensuring a smooth and efficient transition, allowing the MFDA to fully assume its new role in safeguarding public health.