the goan I network
CANACONA
The FDA has ordered the closure of a sweets manufacturing unit at Canacona and imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 for offences under FSS Act.
A notice received by the sweet manufacturing unit of Mithudas G Vaishnav, the FDA judgment by Designated Officer (South Goa) Iva Fernandes states, “It was observed that food items were manufactured in unhygienic and unsanitary conditions and therefore directed to suspend manufacturing activity in the interest of public health till such time he submits the compliance of deficiencies noted at the time of inspection.”
“No compliance was received from the manufacturer till May 23, when he was informed to submit his willingness if he so desires to compound the offence he committed...”
The judgment observed that the FDA had received a telephonic complaint on April 26 stating that a resident of Canacona purchased Bhakkam Pedda from M/s Suraj Sweet Mart, Chaudi and found it to be stale and unfit for consumption.
The team from FDA Bambolim visited the premises and drew a sample of Bhakkam Pedda from the available quantity, and the same on analysis was declared as of standard quality by the Food Analyst on April 27.
The FDA team also visited the manufacturing unit at Chaudi.
“The manufacturer submitted a letter dated May 28 stating that he intends to close the manufacturing unit and was ready to pay the liable penalty. At a personal hearing on June 7, the manufacturer pleaded guilty and informed of closing the unit permanently,” states the judgement.
Fernandes imposed a penalty of Rs 30,000 on the manufacturer of M/s Suraj Sweet Mart, Chaudi and directed the manufacturer to deposit the penalty within 30 days from the order.
The manufacturer was also directed to shut down the manufacturing unit and stop manufacturing of sweets in unhygienic and unsanitary conditions.
Incidentally, the sweets sold at Suraj Sweets Mart were obtained from Mitudas Vaishnav (Hanuman Sweets) now permanently closed down by the FDA order and penalized with a fine of Rs 30,000.
When contacted, Narayandas Vaishnav, owner of Suraj Sweet Mart, said he had stopped obtaining sweets from Hanuman Sweets Manufacturing units, and was selling only packaged food items.
“I have been in the business for the last 30 years and the FDA has been regularly carrying inspections every 3-4 months in the past, but I had never ever encountered such problems before,” said Narayandas Vaishnav.
