FDA shuts unhygienic food outlets at Karaswada, Tivim

Panaji: The food and drugs administration (FDA) shut down eight establishments at Karaswada and Tivim on Friday night for operating in unhygienic conditions. These included bakeries, fruit juice stalls, fast food outlets, and tea hotels.

Under director Shweta Desai, the FDA team inspected 18 establishments during a late-evening surveillance drive and found eight non-compliant with hygiene standards. One food business operator inspected earlier and did not comply with the FDA’s earlier notice was fined Rs 10,000.

The drive, led by designated officer (licensing authority, North Goa) Richard Noronha and senior officers Rajaram Patil and Shaileh Shenvi, was assisted by food safety officers Amit Mandrekar, Nousin Mulla, and Lenin De Sa.

The FDA warned of similar drives in other talukas in coming weeks. “Strict penalties will be imposed on food business operators found violating regulations,” Desai said.

The FDA is monitoring food units at Alankar, Mapusa, and recently held an orientation on street vendors’ hygiene at Alankar and outside the GMC complex due to repeated violations of food safety norms.

During the orientation session at the FDA this week, the food business operators assured the FDA they will comply with all requirements of the food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI).