The Goa Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an early-morning surveillance drive at the interstate Mapusa Bus Stand to inspect food products being transported into the state and seized 225 kg of unlabelled frozen jamun valued at around ₹50,000.
During the operation, FDA officials checked a total of 30 buses. The frozen jamun was found being transported from Pune to Mapusa via Atmaram and had reportedly been booked by a local hotel for use in ice cream preparations and distribution to other food establishments.
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The FDA found that the hotel did not possess a valid FSSAI registration and initiated action under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. A penalty of ₹10,000 was imposed on the establishment.
The FDA has also written to the Maharashtra FDA requesting action against the Pune-based vendor for dispatching the consignment without the required labelling.
The seized stock was subsequently destroyed with the assistance of the Mapusa Municipal Council.
During the surveillance drive, FDA officials also directed two restaurants to shut operations after finding serious unhygienic conditions. Other food articles inspected during the drive were found to be compliant with the prescribed food safety requirements.
Action Against Quick-Commerce Units
In a separate enforcement action, the FDA’s North Goa team suspended operations at Blinkit and Instamart units in Porvorim, as well as one Instamart unit in Taleigao, citing several operational and hygiene-related lapses.
Notices have been issued to the concerned units, directing them to provide explanations and take corrective measures to ensure compliance with food safety norms.
The FDA has also intensified inspections of milk and dairy products, particularly paneer and kalkand, as part of efforts to detect and prevent the sale of non-dairy analogues being passed off as genuine dairy products.
Officials said the surveillance and enforcement drives will continue across Goa. Food business operators have been advised to strictly follow the prescribed food safety and hygiene standards, failing which the FDA may impose penalties and suspend operations or licences.
The surveillance team comprised Designated Officer Richard Noronha, Food Safety Officers Amit Mandrekar, Darlane Diukar and Ram Dhuri, along with staff members Sandeep Shelke and Sudhakar Parsekar. The team operated under the guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai.
