The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has announced a firm new directive that will significantly impact food businesses across the country. Beginning February 1, 2026, any food service establishment operating without a valid Food Hygiene Permit will be shut down.
Described as a final warning, the directive covers a wide range of operators within the food industry. Restaurants, hotels, chop bars, food vans, bakeries, event caterers, online food vendors, and canteens in schools, hospitals, and offices are all affected.
According to the FDA, the move is part of broader efforts to protect public health and strengthen compliance with food safety and hygiene standards. The Authority has urged business owners to regularise their operations ahead of the deadline to avoid disruption.
Food hygiene permits are not just regulatory paperwork — they help ensure that food is prepared, stored, and served under safe conditions. With the deadline fast approaching, operators are encouraged to act early by engaging the appropriate regulatory bodies and completing all required inspections.
As February 2026 draws closer, the message from the FDA is clear: no permit, no operation.
