MAPUSA
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has stepped up its enforcement drive in Bardez, ordering a tiffin service supplying meals to offices and construction sites to suspend operations following repeated violations of food hygiene and safety norms.
In a separate action, the FDA destroyed around 140 boxes of chocolates valued at approximately Rs 40,000 after an inspection of a chocolate manufacturing unit revealed serious lapses, including the use of corroded moulds and misleading labelling.
The action against the tiffin service from a unit in Tivim followed repeated inspections during which officials reportedly found violations of prescribed hygiene standards. The service was directed to stop operations, raising concerns over the quality and safety of meals supplied to workers and office-goers.
The FDA's action against the chocolate manufacturer located at Karaswada, Mapusa was initiated following a complaint from a consumer who reportedly found metal fragments in the chocolates. During the subsequent inspection, officials found that the moulds used in the manufacturing process were corroded, raising concerns over the possibility of contamination. The unit was also found to have misleading declarations on its product labels.
Following the inspection, around 140 boxes of chocolates, valued at Rs 40,000, were destroyed. Further action is expected against the manufacturer for the violations.
The latest enforcement measures come amid increased scrutiny of food establishments in Bardez. Earlier this month, the FDA had directed six food businesses to suspend operations after finding that they had failed to adequately rectify deficiencies pointed out during previous inspections. The department had inspected 11 establishments during that surveillance drive.
The FDA has maintained that food business operators must comply with prescribed hygiene, sanitation and labelling requirements, and that establishments will not be permitted to resume operations until the identified deficiencies are rectified.
