Team Goemkarponn
BARDEZ: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) carried out a surveillance drive in Mapusa and the coastal belt to ensure the safety and quality of food products being sold to consumers and tourists.
During the inspection at Mapusa Yard, the FDA team verified banana ripening practices and collected surveillance samples. The checks were conducted following earlier coordination with market officials and fruit vendors. Officials reported that no suspicious ripening methods were detected during the inspection.
Vendors operating outside St. Xavier’s College in Mapusa were also penalised for failing to comply with earlier directives issued by the authorities.
Further inspections were conducted in Calangute where 12 cashew outlets were checked with the assistance of local authorities. Officials verified the quality of cashew nuts being sold to tourists through on-ground checks.
While the cashews sold were generally found to be of acceptable quality, several vendors were found violating labelling norms. Six vendors were penalised with fines ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000. During the drive, officials also confiscated 50 kg of low-grade pepper cashew and 10 kg of unlabelled stone chocolates.
In addition, one shawarma vendor was fined for failing to comply with earlier directives.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the government remains committed to ensuring safe and quality food for residents and visitors in the state.
“Ensuring safe and quality food for the people of Goa remains our priority. These inspections will continue as part of our ongoing effort to safeguard consumers and maintain high food safety standards across the state,” he said.
Authorities stated that such surveillance drives will continue across different parts of Goa to monitor food safety and enforce compliance with regulations.
