A disturbing discovery in Mapusa has reignited concerns over food safety after a local resident found a feather inside a sealed package of dates and promptly alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Responding swiftly, FDA officials traced the product to a supplier based in Karaswada, Mapusa. Upon inspection, the facility was found to be in serious violation of hygiene and safety standards, leading to its immediate closure and a halt in production until corrective actions are undertaken.
During the same operation, FDA teams also cracked down on three food stalls operating without mandatory licenses. These stalls were found functioning in unhygienic conditions and lacked the necessary clearances, highlighting a wider problem of non-compliance among street food vendors and small eateries in the region.
This action is part of an ongoing FDA surveillance initiative aimed at curbing unsafe food practices across Mapusa and its surrounding areas. Recent inspections have exposed numerous violations, including the use of banned food coloring agents, improper storage of ingredients, and the absence of valid sanitary cards for food handlers. Alarmingly, several eateries were discovered operating over open drains, with stagnant water and poor sanitation raising serious public health concerns. In multiple instances, fines were levied and business owners were directed to secure appropriate permissions before resuming operations.
FDA officials have reiterated their firm stance on enforcing food safety laws and have adopted a zero-tolerance approach toward unhygienic practices and unauthorized food businesses. Authorities are urging the public to stay alert and report any food items or establishments that appear unsafe, stressing the importance of community cooperation in ensuring public health.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining food hygiene standards and the critical role of regulatory oversight in protecting consumers from health risks.