PANJIM: Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Friday confiscated four tonnes of artificially ripened mangoes worth Rs 5 lakh from Odxel-Siolim in Bardez. “The enforcement staff of FDA conducted a special surveillance inspection at various houses and go-downs at Siolim area, where the Directorate had serious doubts on the activities being carried out of artificial ripening of mangoes using chemicals,” FDA director Salim Veljee said. Over four tonnes of raw mangoes stored were found to be allegedly artificially ripened using chemicals at premises owned by one Sushan Banaulikar. A test of the mangoes confirmed usage of residual chemical. “The Directorate is in the process of conducting further investigation before initiating any final action against the vendors under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Rules/Regulation 2011,” Veljee said. He said FDA will continue its attempt to maintain close surveillance on potential strategic places suspected of carrying on such activities in the State.
