The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has urged against marketing products using unsubstantiated claims regarding weight loss and treatments for various illnesses.

In a press release issued today, MFDA stated that it has observed numerous products being marketed with claims of weight loss and disease treatment, encouraging their use and circulating related information across various platforms.

The authority added that marketing these products with unverified information not based on scientific research risks misleading consumers and causing adverse health effects.

"We highlight that there is a particularly high risk of adverse effects for individuals undergoing treatment for chronic conditions, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers," MFDA said in the statement.

It noted that circulating such information across various platforms is classified as advertising under the authority's regulations.

"In this regard, advertising food items in a manner implying specific health benefits or cures for various illnesses is prohibited. Furthermore, advertising food items untruthfully or deceptively to imply a specific quality or unique characteristic is also prohibited under these regulations," the statement read.

Therefore, the authority instructed that food items must be advertised in accordance with food advertising regulations. Additionally, instead of consuming food products with unsubstantiated claims, MFDA urged the public to maintain a balanced diet, reduce salt and sugar intake, and exercise regularly.