In a pre-dawn operation on Thursday, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted surprise inspections along the Calangute-Baga beach belt and at the Mapusa inter-state bus stand, targeting unlicensed and unhygienic food vendors.
During the inspection along the coastal belt, FDA teams scrutinised small roadside kiosks, food carts, and makeshift stalls serving early morning breakfast “ mostly Udupi-style dishes such as idlis, dosas and vadas.
Officials found that several outlets, which normally sell items like biryani and shawarma later in the day, were subletting their spaces to other individuals to operate temporary breakfast counters.
According to the FDA, many of the food items were being prepared at home or in unidentified locations and sold in unsanitary conditions.
“Food prepared in unhygienic surroundings poses a serious health risk to the public. Vendors found violating the Food Safety and Standards Act have been issued warnings,” an FDA official said.
Around 15 to 20 outlets were directed to immediately halt operations, with the department cautioning that repeat offenders would face strict legal action, including prosecution.
In a separate raid at the Mapusa inter-state bus stand, the FDA seized 18 large packets of fried onion “ each weighing nearly 10 kilograms “ used as an ingredient in biryani. The packets were part of inter-state parcels and were confiscated for lacking proper labelling and traceability details.
The seized material was later handed over to the Mapusa Municipal Council for safe disposal.
The twin operations are part of the FDA’s ongoing drive to ensure food safety and hygiene standards across popular tourist and transport hubs in North Goa.
