The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Goa, has ordered the closure of 12 food establishments and imposed fines on vendors following a series of surveillance drives conducted in Bambolim, Merces and Thivim to crack down on unhygienic food practices.
During the inspections, FDA officials examined 10 food businesses, including restaurants and petty tea and snack vendors. Of these, six establishments were directed to suspend operations after inspectors found unhygienic conditions on the premises.
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In addition, four food outlets operating outside the Goa Medical College (GMC) campus were ordered to cease operations for sourcing food from unapproved kitchens that were found to be unhygienic.
The FDA also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on a fresh juice vendor operating near GMC for violations of food safety norms.
In Thivim, an Udupi restaurant and a tea stall were directed to shut down due to hygiene-related deficiencies. The Udupi restaurant was additionally fined Rs 15,000.
The affected establishments have been instructed to remain closed until all deficiencies are rectified and compliance with food safety regulations is verified by the authorities.
The FDA said similar surveillance drives will continue across Goa as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure food safety and public health. Food business operators have been urged to strictly comply with prescribed hygiene and safety standards, failing which their licences may be suspended.
The inspection team comprised Designated Officer Richard Noronha, Food Safety Officers Amit Mandrekar, Lenin D’Sa and Safia Khan, along with staff member Sandeep Shelke. The drive was conducted under the guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai.
