PANAJI
With crowds soaring in the coastal belt and impromptu food stalls springing up to grab the opportunity to make a quick buck, officials of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) descended in Calangute and swooped down on over half-a-dozen such outlets, even confiscating goods and equipment.
The food safety officials led by the 'designated officer' under the FSSAI for North Goa Richard Noronha carried out the action against these unauthorised food stalls on Friday.
These stalls, some of which had sprung up to sell biryani around the frontages of upscale hotels, had no authorization from the FDA or any other authority to sell cooked food items, FDA officials said.
The FDA team which also confiscated ready to sell biryani, later disposed it with assistance from the local Calangute Panchayat.
Earlier, at the start of the tourism season in early November, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane had warned that restaurants and food outlets across Goa will be inspected by FDA for hygiene and audits of their kitchens conducted for waste disposal mechanisms.
Rane had cited complaints pouring in from tourists and locals alike that some restaurants had poor hygiene and sanitation adding that FDA officers and third-party auditors endorsed under FSSAI will conduct the inspections.
"Restaurant owners must ensure full compliance as non-compliance may result in strict action under existing food safety regulations," Rane had warned.
