MARGAO
Ahead of the upcoming festival season, the Margao unit of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has intensified surveillance of food items entering the State through interstate vehicles and those being transported or stored under unhygienic conditions.
The FDA team has also stepped up inspections of food manufacturing units in Margao and surrounding areas.
An early morning inspection drive conducted in Margao on Thursday at 6 am saw FDA officials, under the guidance of Designated Officer (South Goa) Sanjyot Kudalkar, checking khova/mava, paneer, milk and milk products transported in interstate vehicles.
Manufacturing units were also inspected, with three of the six units found to be operating under unhygienic conditions.
The team detained 130 kg of khoa worth Rs 35,000, which was being transported in vehicles carrying vegetables, fertilisers and other raw materials. The stock was also found to have been stored under improper temperature and storage conditions. The goods were later destroyed in the interest of public health.
The team inspected a samosa manufacturing unit in Madel, Margao, and found it operating without a licence. The FDA immediately directed the owner to stop operations until a valid food licence was obtained.
The team also inspected two restaurants near the KTC bus stand in Margao and found them operating under unhygienic conditions. Further, under COTPA regulations, the team imposed a fine of Rs 400 on the restaurants.
Besides Designated Officer (South Goa) Sanjyot Kudalkar, the FDA team comprised Senior FSO Priya D, FSOs Priya K, Amardeep G and Abhishek N, MTS Gauresh G and driver Domingo G.
