Malta

The Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights (MAFA) deals with agricultural policy and, more particularly, food and feed safety in Malta. It is the competent authority for controls of food of animal origin. The MAFA is responsible for guidance, approval and inspection of all types of establishments for food of animal origin and for import controls on food of animal origin and feed.

The portfolio of the MAFA includes feed, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), zoonoses, and residues of plant protection products and veterinary medicinal products. The MAFA is the regulatory authority for veterinary medicinal products in Malta. The MAFA’s area of work extends beyond food safety to include, for instance, plant health, animal health and animal welfare. 

The Ministry for Health (MfH) deals with social policy, health policy and food safety in Malta. It is responsible for controls of foodstuffs and food hygiene as well as for supervising and coordinating the implementation of controls. The actual controls are carried out by seven regional bodies. The portfolio of the MfH includes hygiene, novel foods, food supplements, mineral water and drinking water.

The MfH’s scope of work extends beyond food safety to include, for instance, nutrition. 

The Food Safety Commission (FSC) is an independent government coordinating body which reports to the MfH. The FSC is responsible for risk management and risk communication. The FSC is the coordination office for issues related to food safety and provides a forum for cooperation between the MAFA, MfH and the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), as well as other entities involved in food safety. The FSC is responsible for the registration of all food establishments.

In Malta, the Public Health Laboratory is the National Reference Laboratory pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004. It draws on the services of National Reference Laboratories in other EU Member States. 

The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) is a government-appointed authority within the portfolio of the Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection. The Food Safety Act assigns specific responsibility for risk assessments to the MCCAA. MCCAA risk assessments are used by the MAFA and MfH as the basis for management measures in the field of food safety. The MCCAA assesses risks, identifies new health risks and prepares risk reduction recommendations. The MCCAA provides technical and scientific advice to the FSC. The remit of the MCCAA includes novel foods, food supplements, health and nutrition claims and natural mineral water. The MCCAA is the regulatory authority for plant protection products in Malta. The scope of work of the MCCAA extends beyond food safety to include, for instance, cosmetics, biocides and consumer products.