FDA officials conducting an inspection during a raid at the popular food joints at Alankar in Mapusa on Wednesday evening.
MAPUSA
In a major raid, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cracked down on a popular eatery hub near the now-shutdown Alankar movie theatre in Mapusa, closing eight food stalls for operating without mandatory permissions and in unhygienic conditions.
Some establishments were also issued fines, while owners were warned to obtain the necessary approvals before reopening. A team of four to five FDA officials arrived at the site late Wednesday evening, conducting surprise inspections that caught eatery owners off guard.
Officials found that most stalls were in an unsanitary state, with some positioned over open drains where sewage water flowed beneath them. “We received complaints about unhygienic conditions in the area,” said Rajaram Patel, Senior Food Safety Inspector.
“Upon inspection, we found several violations, including the use of prohibited food colours and improper storage of raw materials. The flooring was wet, and water stagnation was observed around the premises,” he added.
Additionally, officials discovered that none of the workers possessed the mandatory sanitary card required for food handling.
The eatery stalls, popular among Indian tourists, operate until 2 am and were once frequented by locals.
However, in recent years, the number of local customers has declined, while tourist footfall has increased.
The FDA has been actively conducting similar raids in Bardez over the past two months, shutting down several commercial establishments in Anjuna, Vagator, Assagao, and Siolim for non-compliance with food safety regulations.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining hygiene standards and warned that further action will be taken against violators.
