FDA seizes illegal chicken, misbranded sweets in raid

SAFETY FIRST: FDA officials supervise the destruction of 300 kgs of unhygienic chicken seized from an unlicensed unit at Nagoa-Arpora.

In a coordinated food safety enforcement operation, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Wednesday seized and destroyed around 300 kgs of chicken being supplied illegally to restaurants and hotels from an unlicensed and unhygienic facility in Nagoa-Arpora.

The FDA also cracked down on misbranded sweets during a surveillance drive in Calangute.

The action followed a tip-off about the illegal wholesale meat supply operation being run by Sashwath Yadav, who was allegedly operating from a unit located behind the waste material segregation facility in Nagoa.

FDA officials found that the chicken, which was reportedly sourced from Hubli, lacked any documentation related to origin, transportation or quality checks and the premises did not possess the mandatory food business license.

Officials confirmed that the unit was functioning under highly unhygienic conditions, posing serious risks to public health.

The entire stock of 300 kgs of chicken was seized and destroyed on the spot.

In a separate but related operation, the FDA conducted a surveillance drive in Calangute focusing on sweets, particularly to detect the use of excess synthetic colouring agents.

The drive was part of an ongoing monitoring initiative, launched in response to previous findings and aimed at ensuring safe food practices ahead of the festive and tourist season.

During inspections, it was found that M/s Shivlairi Enterprise, operated by Lalaram under the brand name Manthan, was supplying sweets suspected to contain synthetic colours beyond permissible limits. The manufacturing unit is located at Borim, Ponda.

FDA officials seized stock worth ₹50,000 and collected samples, which have been sent for laboratory analysis.

“This is despite prior sensitisation programs conducted with sweet manufacturers. Continued violations indicate wilful negligence,” an FDA official said.

The FDA team included Designated Officer Richard Noronha, along with Rajaram Patil, Lenin De Sa, Nousin Mulla and Amit Mandrekar.

The operations were conducted under the overall supervision and guidance of Director of FDA, Shweta Dessai.

Officials warned that further action would be taken based on the lab reports and urged all food businesses to strictly comply with licensing and safety norms.