The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has shut down another famous eatery in Male’, Café Alfresco in the State Trading Organisation (STO) building, after the authority found the café’s hygiene conditions did not meet the MFDA’s regulation.
The Blue Cappuccino restaurant in Maaveyo Magu was also closed by the MFDA in its ongoing food inspections program.
‘’Alfresco has unfortunately been closed for the time being after an inspection by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA),’’ Alfresco said in a statement on its website. ‘’We will hopefully be reopening shortly after we set the café’s facilities to fully comply with the MFDA’s standards.’’
‘’We apologise deeply to all our customers and assure complete adherence to MFDA regulations and standards in the future. We take full responsibility for this unfortunate incident and are more than willing to extend our support and cooperation to MFDA.’’
No details of the issues with the restaurants were provided by the MFDA as it has decided not to reveal such details following complaints from the owners of the closed food outlets.
‘’We decided not to reveal the details following complaints we received from the places,’’ said Jameela Mohamed, Media Coordinator of MFDA. ‘’We will issue a press release regarding the matter later today.’’
Café Alfresco was not the first famous food outlet to be suddenly closed by the MFDA. Famous restaurants such as West Park and Raaveriya was also closed by the MFDA during the inspections program.
Well known teashops such as Market Hotel, Faseyha Point and Malaafai 2 were also closed by the MFDA after it found the hygiene conditions did not meet MFDA regulations.
Live goats, houseflies, lizards and cats were discovered in the kitchens and stores of some of the closed restaurants and cafés.
The MFDA said so far 113 venues were checked and 12 places closed due to poor hygiene.
Meanwhile, some of the closed restaurants and teashops have been reopened after correcting the issues faced by the MFDA.
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A live goat? Was it about to become the chef's daily special? Why on earth would you have a live goat in a kitchen? I'd love to hear that guy's excuse! LOL
Live goat for sexual desires if need arises???
It is such a rare sight these to see anyone take responsibility for their mistakes - so in this regard, it is quite refreshing to see Al Fresco take responsibility.
Disappointing to see there were no goats this time.
Alfresco is unclean due to Munawwar.
Alfresco's management is courageous to accept their mistakes and customers do appreciate and will trust the establishment. Hope all other food outlets will take this as a good example. Thank You Alfresco.
wow! what a refreshing change. Alfresco is not comming up with some stupid excuses and trying to evade blame. Now this is one restaurant with the right attitude.
That's a very badly made Lavazza coffee in the picture. Horrible ...
It is unfortunate that MFDA has decided not to reveal details for the reason to shut down the restaurants. Publishing the reasons will definetly make it a good deterrence for the operators to keep the facility in line with the minimum requirements of MFDA. MFDA should work towards the interest of the genarl public.