The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has ordered the closure of all food service establishments operating without valid hygiene permits, effective February 1, 2026, as part of a nationwide enforcement exercise to protect public health.
The directive applies to a broad range of food businesses, including restaurants, hotels, lounges, chop bars, bakeries, snack bars, food vans, event caterers, online food vendors, and institutional kitchens operating in schools, hospitals, and offices.
According to the Authority, the enforcement action is backed by Section 130(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), which bars the production, sale, supply, or storage of regulated products in premises that are not properly registered and approved for such operations.
In a public notice issued on February 1, the FDA stated that any food outlet found operating without a valid Food Hygiene Permit will be shut down immediately and will remain closed until it completes the required registration and obtains the appropriate certification.
The Authority stressed that the move is aimed at strengthening food safety compliance and reducing health risks associated with unhygienic food handling and preparation environments.
Food business operators have been advised to take urgent steps to regularise their documentation and meet hygiene requirements. The FDA also encouraged members of the public and affected operators to reach out through its official communication platforms for guidance and support on the permit acquisition process.