In a major crackdown on food safety violations, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shut down eight food stalls near the now-shuttered Alankar movie theatre in Mapusa. The stalls were found operating without the necessary permits and in unhygienic conditions, following a surprise inspection conducted late Wednesday evening.
A team of four to five FDA officials arrived unannounced, catching the eatery owners off guard. During the inspection, the officials discovered that most of the stalls were located over open drains with sewage water flowing beneath them. Additionally, several hygiene violations were identified, including the use of prohibited food colors and improper storage of raw materials. The flooring was found to be wet, with water stagnation observed around the premises.
"We received complaints about unhygienic conditions in the area," said Rajaram Patel, Senior Food Safety Inspector. "Upon inspection, we found several violations, including the use of prohibited food colors and improper storage of raw materials. The flooring was wet, and water stagnation was observed around the premises".
Another critical finding was that none of the workers possessed the mandatory sanitary cards required for handling food, which is a violation of food safety regulations.
The stalls, which remain popular among tourists, operate late into the night, often staying open until 2 am. However, in recent years, local foot traffic has declined, while the number of tourists frequenting the area has risen.
The FDA has been ramping up its efforts in Bardez, conducting similar raids in areas such as Anjuna, Vagator, Assagão, and Siolim over the past two months. Several commercial establishments have been shut down for failing to meet food safety standards.
Authorities have issued fines to some stall owners and warned them to obtain the necessary permits and comply with hygiene regulations before reopening. The FDA has reiterated its commitment to enforcing food safety standards and has warned that further action will be taken against violators.