The Food and Drugs Administration Goa conducted a series of surveillance drives across the Bardez taluka, covering areas such as Mapusa, Anjuna, Assagao, Arpora, and Calangute, inspecting multiple food establishments.
During the drive, officials inspected around 20 food businesses, including restaurants, food vending establishments, sweet marts, and street food vendors. Of these, eight units were directed to suspend operations until compliance is achieved due to non-renewal of licences and unhygienic conditions.
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In a separate action at the Mapusa Sub Yard, approximately 300 kilograms of bananas worth about ₹21,000 were destroyed following suspicion of artificial ripening using non-permitted chemicals. The irregularity was detected after authorities received a tip-off from a vigilant source in the Mapusa market yard.
Officials also collected samples of the bananas for laboratory analysis, and a case will be registered against the wholesaler if the samples are found to be non-compliant with food safety norms.
Additionally, one hawker retailer was penalised ₹2,000 for operating a food business without a valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India registration certificate.
The inspection team included Designated Officer Richard Noronha, along with Food Safety Officers Lenin De Sa, Amit Mandrekar, Darlane Diukar, and Nousin Mulla, supported by staff members Sainath Chari and Babaji Konkankar. The drive was conducted under the guidance of Director Shweta Dessai.
Officials stated that similar surveillance drives will continue in other areas and have appealed to all food business operators to strictly comply with food safety norms, warning that licences may be suspended for violations.
