VASCO: The officials of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) conducted a raid on the stalls outside the Vasco Railway Station.
While some stalls were operating without licences, others stalls were violating cleanliness and hygiene norms and food items were found kept in the open. Over a week ago, these stall owners were asked to maintain hygiene and cleanliness.
The FDA authorities have suggested to the MMC a designated food court at one place ensuring hygiene food, maintaining cleanliness and other facilities. The raids will also continue at other places in the port town.
The major violations seen around the eateries and the surrounding are unhygiene and that all food items were kept in the open.
South Goa FDA licensing authority Richard Noronha said that street food vendors should maintain good hygiene as they serve food and eatables to the people. He said that despite conducting awareness drive in the past, the things had not changed and the stall owners continue to violate the safety norms and failed to keep the surrounding clean.
Noronha said that all stall owners have now been given final warning and those who fail to maintain cleanliness and hygiene will face action including filing of cases. He said that the FDA had also requested the municipality to establish street food vending at a proper designated zone with all amenities.
Stating that the Mormugao municipality is keen to bring in cleanliness, Noronha said that they will review the running of food stalls after a fortnight.
Mormugao chairperson Leo Rodrigues said that the FDA authorities had warned these vendors in the past but they did not pay heed to the warnings. He said that during the inspection, it was found that the vendors were selling samosas in the open and the chutney was stale which could lead to stomach infection. He said that the drive will continue across the port town in order to ensure that the people get gold quality food.
