MAPUSA
In a surprise inspection at the Bodgeshwar Zatra on Tuesday, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) uncovered a major violation involving an unlicensed packaged drinking water supplier.
The inspection team, led by FDA official Richard Noronha, found a vehicle supplying bottled water to various stalls at the Zatra.
The supplier, however, was operating without the necessary valid licences, prompting the FDA to collect samples for testing. Following this discovery, the FDA team proceeded to the water supplier’s unit in Tivim for further investigation.
Upon arrival, they found the premises closed and the owner uncooperative. After enlisting the help of Colvale Police, officials were able to access the unit through the back door.
It was during this inspection that they discovered the supplier was running operations without a valid licence.
According to FDA officials, the unit, which had previously been licensed, had ceased operations two years ago. Despite this, it was still equipped with filtration machinery and a laboratory.
The labels on the bottled water supplied were also found to be non-compliant with regulations.
As a result, the FDA closed down the unit and announced that a detailed inquiry would be conducted, with necessary legal actions to follow.
The crackdown continued on the second day of inspections at the Bodgeshwar Zatra.
FDA officials, in collaboration with Mapusa municipality, conducted further checks on stalls, discovering that some had been reopened late at night.
Items such as gas cylinders, stoves and cooking equipment were seized from the stalls, underscoring the ongoing efforts to maintain safety standards at the event.
