MAPUSA
Six food business establishments in Bardez have been directed to suspend operations after they failed to adequately rectify deficiencies pointed out during earlier inspections, prompting the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to order their closure until compliance is achieved.
The action came during a surveillance drive conducted by the FDA in Bardez, during which officials inspected 11 food businesses, including restaurants and chicken slaughtering units.
According to the FDA, the compliance submitted by the establishments following earlier inspections was found to be unsatisfactory. The six establishments have consequently been directed to keep their premises shut until the deficiencies are rectified and compliance with the stipulated food safety norms is established.
The latest action comes as the FDA steps up surveillance of food businesses across the State, with officials warning operators against treating inspection-related compliance as a mere formality.
The department has also directed food business operators to strictly follow the recently issued government advisory concerning the labelling of products made from milk analogues.
The FDA is expected to intensify inspections of vendors dealing in milk products and scrutinise product labels for misleading claims.
Officials said the surveillance drives would continue in different areas as part of the department’s efforts to ensure compliance with food safety requirements.
The drive in Bardez was conducted by Designated Officer Richard Noronha, Food Safety Officers Amit Mandrekar and Darlane Diukar, along with staff member Sandeep Shelke, under the guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai.
