A RECIPE FOR RISK: An unhygienic processing area at a chicken outlet in Siolim, where an FDA inspection exposed unlicensed operations and unsafe food-handling practices.
MAPUSA
In a crackdown on food safety violations, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) destroyed nearly 1,500 kg of processed chicken following an early morning surveillance drive in Siolim, which uncovered an unlicensed processing and distribution outlet allegedly operating under unhygienic conditions.
The outlet, operated by Hassan Bepari under the name Ample Fresh Chicken, was found processing and distributing chicken without an FSSAI licence.
The FDA subsequently ordered it to cease operations and initiated legal proceedings against the food business operator.
The inspection, carried out following information obtained through traceability checks at hotels, also revealed that Bepari was preparing biryani in an adjoining room and supplying it to his outlet in Porvorim. The FDA ordered this kitchen to cease operations as well.
During the drive, another supplier, Siolimchick, was also inspected.
The FDA found that one of its suppliers, Riya Farms, based in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, was supplying chicken under a restaurant licence. The Goa FDA has brought the violation to the notice of the Maharashtra FDA Commissioner, seeking appropriate action against the supplier.
The FDA has directed all chicken vendors to verify the source of their poultry and ensure that supplies are procured only from FSSAI-registered or licensed vendors.
Restaurants have also been cautioned to exercise due diligence while procuring chicken, warning that they could otherwise be held liable under Section 26 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The surveillance drive was conducted by Designated Officer (North) Richard Noronha, Food Safety Officers Amit Mandrekar, Pradiksha Chopdekar and Darlan Diukar, and staff members Sandeep Shelke and Sudhakar Parsekar, under the guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai.
