Team Herald
PANJIM: Continuing their crackdown on artificial ripening of fruits, the officials of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) along with the staff of Corporation of City of Panaji raided shops in the new municipal market, Panjim, confiscated and destroyed the artificially ripened fruits.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said that the raids were conducted in Panjim market on Saturday in association with the CCP.
“An extensive raid was conducted at the Panjim market today morning to check the adulteration of fruits and vegetables. Samples of banana, chikoo, papaya, black grapes were sent for examination at the laboratory, reports of which are awaited. I am grateful to the CCP Mayor Uday Madkaikar who has supported us along with his team. We are carrying raids in Panjim market and also all over Goa,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Madkaikar said that the raids were necessary to keep a check on the dangerous chemicals being used to ripen fruits in the market.
“We have destroyed some fruits and some are sent for testing in laboratory for chemical analysis,” he said.
Madkaikar further said that during the raid the CCP workers also found large number of plastic bags, which are banned.
“We will fine each one Rs 5,000 for keeping the bags,” he said.
“The CCP has been strictly implementing the plastic ban but these vendors still continue to procure these plastic bags,” the Mayor added.
