First Lady Sajidha Mohamed has emphasised that ensuring food safety requires the collective efforts of the entire community and cannot be achieved through the work of regulatory authorities alone.

Speaking at a ceremony held in Faafu Nilandhoo to mark World Food Safety Day, the First Lady highlighted the importance of maintaining food safety throughout every stage of the food supply chain, from production to consumption.

The First Lady stated that food safety extends beyond public health concerns and serves as a reflection of a country's social values, ethical standards and overall quality of life. She stressed the importance of cultivating food safety awareness from an early age, noting that families, schools and communities all play a vital role in promoting safe food practices.

In addition, the First Lady said achieving and maintaining high food safety standards requires the active participation of all sectors of society, alongside the effective implementation and enforcement of relevant laws and regulations.

She also pointed to several challenges facing food safety efforts, including limited resources, difficulties in accessing specialised technical expertise and obstacles in enforcing regulations.

In addition, the First Lady highlighted the opportunities created by technological advancements, noting that improvements in technology have made it easier for locally produced food products to access international markets and expand export opportunities.