The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has clarified that the spoiled chicken meat seized from an illegal vendor in Arpora and subsequently disposed of on Thursday was handled in accordance with official protocols, following concerns raised by an NGO regarding the health hazards of the disposal process.
Speaking to reporters, FDA official Richard Noronha addressed the allegations, stating, “Regarding the disposal of the chicken which some reports said was not done properly, we want to make it clear that the disposal was done in a very methodical manner using phenyl to disinfect the meat and the meat was buried in the ground under soil.”
The clarification comes in response to objections raised by the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) on Friday. The CCF had questioned the method of disposal, claiming that the meat was dumped in a nearby nullah. “It is a highly hazardous practice and poses a serious threat to the environment and public health,” the Forum stated.
According to FDA officials, nearly 300kgs of spoiled chicken were seized from an illegal vendor operating in extremely unhygienic conditions. The vendor was reportedly supplying chicken and other food items to several restaurants and hotels across the Bardez coastal belt.
The crackdown was part of an ongoing surveillance drive in the coastal areas, which continued on Friday. “In continuation of the surveillance drive in the coastal belt Calangute area, Friday’s drive was specifically for sweets with colour. Our surveillance shows that excess colour is being used. Today we've drawn statutory samples with the intention to file cases against the operators to ensure that there is strict action against these vendors,” Noronha added.