HPA inspects over 990 eateries, cafés

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has inspected a total of 993 eateries in Greater Male' Region, including restaurants and cafe's.

The inspection aims to assess the hygienic conditions of places that prepare and cater food and beverages for public consumption.

HPA began the inspection in February 19, 2024 in collaboration with Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and Male' City Council, which ended last Saturday.

HPA said they inspected the venues to assess if eateries and F&B service providers adhered to health, safety and hygienic guidelines set out by the agency.

The inspection also served the dual purpose of raising awareness among the food and beverage sector as well.

Besides restaurants and cafe's, HPA inspected standard eateries, takeaways, bakeries, canteens, shops, tuck-shops, kiosks, food tents, and markets.

Majority of the inspections were carried out in Male' City and Hulhumale'; both places with the highest concentration of eateries, with 597 places inspected from Male' City and 308 venues from Hulhumale'.

HPA added that the issues discovered from their inspection will be shared with relevant authorities to develop solutions. The agency further added that necessary actions will be taken according to the health and safety standards of eateries.

Male' City Council on Sunday, March 03, 2024, said that authorities had discovered several of these food service providers failed to meet the necessary hygienic and safety standards.

The council further said that authorities discovered several food service outlets owned and run by expatriates without relevant permissions, which the authority said would be dealt with according to regulations.