A major milestone in Maldivian food safety testing was reached as AMDC's "Life Science Lab" received ISO certification for its food and water analysis capabilities.

At the certification ceremony held at Hotel Jen last night, Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim addressed the significant challenges facing the nation's food safety regulation system. The Minister explained that the country had only recently established its legal framework for food safety, with the relevant law being ratified this August.

According to the Minister, laboratory testing capabilities in the Maldives remain at a basic level, presenting a major challenge for both the National Laboratory and MFDA. He referenced WHO data indicating that unsafe food consumption leads to over 400,000 deaths globally each year, with Southeast Asia being particularly vulnerable.

The CEO at AMDC, Kishore Asokan, outlined the lab's commitment to maintaining ISO standards in their sampling procedures. He indicated that the facility would provide expedited testing services for both food and water analysis needs.

The laboratory, which opened in March 2023 under AMDC Clinic, has been primarily serving the resort industry's testing requirements. The facility's capabilities include complex analyses such as Legionella testing, which previously required international processing. This local testing capability effectively eliminates the extended waiting periods previously associated with overseas sample processing.

The Health Ministry indicated it is currently developing comprehensive regulatory frameworks for food production and market release, addressing a long-standing gap in the nation's food safety systems.