Releasing a statement, making the guidelines around the future of food advertising in the Maldives clearer, the MFDA cleared up the fact that the new rules are not targeted towards SMEs but were more towards ensuring proper rules are followed when advertising food-related items.
MFR
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), operating under the Ministry of Health, recently issued a press release introducing new guidelines for food advertisements in the Maldives. Despite being a small island nation, the Maldives boasts a wide variety of food options, thanks to the increasing availability of both imported and locally grown products. Over the years, this accessibility has fueled the growth of small and medium-sized food businesses, many of which began as home-based ventures experimenting with recipes.
While large-scale restaurants and established food businesses continue to thrive, the rise of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food sector—particularly those operating through social media platforms—has been remarkable. The convenience of online advertising, coupled with the growing popularity of home-cooked and artisanal food, has encouraged many individuals to turn their culinary passions into profitable businesses. As a result, the Maldives has seen a surge in food-related social media businesses, with countless entrepreneurs marketing and selling their products directly to consumers.
Given this shift, the MFDA's announcement regarding stricter food advertisement regulations initially sparked concern among many of these small business owners. The news was met with widespread apprehension, as many entrepreneurs feared that their businesses—built on social media promotions and direct online sales—would face heavy restrictions. Some even misinterpreted the guidelines, assuming that food advertisements on digital platforms would be significantly limited or outright banned, leading to uncertainty about the future of home-based and small-scale food businesses.
However, as more details about the guidelines emerged, it became clear that the MFDA’s objective was not to stifle entrepreneurship but to ensure consumer safety and transparency in food advertising. Releasing a statement, making the guidelines around the future of food advertising in the Maldives clearer, the MFDA cleared up the fact that the new rules are not targeted towards SMEs but were more towards ensuring proper rules are followed when advertising food-related items. Making the new rules clearer, MFDA stated the following:
According to the MFDA, these rules are being put into place to ensure better food safety in the Maldives. In recent years, it has come to the public attention that some of the food being prepared and sold, even in stores and restaurants are not meeting the food safety standards that are being set in the Maldives.
With this, the MFDA along with Maldives Immigration has started taking several measures to ensure food safety standards are met in the country. With this, MFDA has advised parties who are interested in getting the permit for food advertisements can now easily apply for the permit through the ‘Dhirithi’ portal.
