MAPUSA
Officials of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) nabbed a fruit dealer allegedly using a banned ripening agent to artificially ripen bananas at the Mapusa Sub Yard. According to reports, an FDA team maintained strict vigil at the Mapusa Sub Yard today, with a surveillance team comprising Richard Noronha, Rajaram Patil, Amit Mandrekar, and Lenin De Sa operating incognito and observing suspicious activities of the fruit dealer. The fruit dealer was allegedly caught red-handed dipping bananas in Ethapone liquid, a banned ripening agent. Approximately one tonne of the contaminated fruit was destroyed on the spot, and a police complaint has been filed against him. Meanwhile, two bakeries in Siolim and Mapusa were directed to shut down their kitchens due to unhygienic conditions, while two restaurants in Assagao were also issued Improvement Notices for similar violations.
