FDA shuts down meat shops, seals banana stall in Bardez

FRUIT SAFETY UNDER SCRUTINY: FDA officials inspect a fruit stall at the Mapusa sub-yard market during a surprise check on Monday.

MAPUSA

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) intensified its surveillance operations across Bardez on Monday, targeting roadside food vendors and fruit stalls to ensure public health and safety.

As part of the drive, FDA teams inspected six roadside meat shops located in Karaswada and Tivim.

Of these, two establishments were ordered to shut down immediately due to unhygienic conditions, while the remaining four were issued improvement notices and warned to upgrade hygiene standards without delay.

In Calangute, officials inspected two eateries selling shawarma and chicken lollipops. These food items were found to contain excessive artificial colouring, prompting FDA authorities to direct the vendors to destroy the tainted food on the spot in the interest of public health.

Following a tip-off and in view of the upcoming Vatapurnima festival, FDA officials also conducted a surprise inspection at the Mapusa market yard.

During the check, 10 fruit stalls were examined. At Stall S-39, operated by a vendor identified as Mohammed, approximately 1.5 tonnes of bananas were discovered to be laced with a suspicious liquid.

The stall, along with its stock, was sealed immediately, and samples were drawn for testing to confirm the presence of artificial ripening agents. Authorities have warned that if the samples test positive, the entire stock will be destroyed, and the vendor will be evicted from the market premises.

Additionally, 250 kg of bananas belonging to Shrinivas Kademani, who was selling on a sopo (temporary platform), were also found with traces of a suspicious liquid.

The stock was destroyed on the spot as a preventive measure. Routine samples of bananas and mangoes were also collected from other vendors for further analysis.

The inspection drive was carried out by FDA officials Richard Noronha, Rajaram Patil, Amit Mandrekar, and Darlan Diukar under the guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai.

Authorities have assured that such surprise checks will continue in the coming weeks to ensure compliance with food safety standards.