PANAJI
The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) launched surprise enforcement action against unlicensed food vendors across Goa, beginning with a crackdown on roadside breakfast sellers operating in Calangute.
In a surprise inspection conducted between 6 am and 10 am on Saturday, FDA officials found 13 vendors operating along the Calangute beach road without mandatory approvals and registrations.
All were served 'stop notices' and directed to immediately cease operations.
The action comes a fortnight after the FDA had issued an advisory to home-based food business operators, roadside vendors and individuals selling food through carts, tabletop displays and car-boot outlets.
"They had been directed to obtain Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration for both their food preparation premises and vending locations. They were also instructed to comply with prescribed hygiene and food safety norms," FDA's designated officer for North Goa, Richard Noronha said.
During Saturday's drive, FDA officials traced the source kitchens of the vendors to nearby slum pockets where breakfast items such as idli-sambar, medu vada, dosa and poha were being prepared.
Officials at the site reported poor hygiene conditions, inadequate water sources and food preparation practices that fell short of food safety standards.
Legal proceedings have now been initiated under Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Notices will also be issued to landlords who rented out residential premises for unapproved commercial food activities without verification, officials said.
The inspections also revealed that some licensed eateries had allegedly sublet their premises to vendors operating during morning hours without verifying where the food is being prepared.
The FDA had earlier warned that food businesses operating without approvals would face strict action. The advisory covered a wide range of operators, including home bakers, traditional bakers, snack vendors and individuals accepting food orders through social media platforms.
As part of the compliance framework, food business operators are required to secure local body permissions where applicable and obtain FSSAI registration for their kitchens and vending sites. Hygiene standards must also be maintained throughout the preparation, storage and sale process.
The inspections were carried out by the North Goa FDA team under the guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai.
