Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has intensified its food safety surveillance across Goa, inspecting restaurants and cashew outlets in Anjuna, Arpora and Calangute, while also detaining approximately 408 kg of meat transported from Delhi to Margao by train. The meat was subsequently ordered to be destroyed.
As part of its ongoing surveillance drive, the FDA team inspected a total of 13 food establishments in Anjuna, Arpora and Calangute. Of these, four units were directed to suspend their operations, including a cashew seller found selling misbranded cashews without dates and other mandatory labelling information, and three restaurants found violating hygiene norms.
Three vendors were also compounded and penalised ₹10,000 each under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
During the inspections, the FDA team destroyed 30 kg of heavily coloured tandoori items and chicken lollipops, 20 kg of biryani and 10 kg of pastry items in the interest of public health.
The inspection team comprised Designated Officer (North) Richard Noronha, Food Safety Officers Amit Mandrekar and Darlan Diukar, and staff member Sandeep Shelke, working under the guidance of Director Shweta Dessai.
**408 Kg of Meat Detained at Margao Railway Station**
In a separate early-morning inspection drive near Margao Railway Station, FDA officials detained approximately 408 kg of meat transported from Delhi by train. The consignment was later ordered to be destroyed.
The inspection was conducted under the guidance of Designated Officer (South Goa) Sanjyot Kudalkar as part of checks on food items being transported by train into Goa.
According to officials, the train carrying the meat departed from Delhi at 8 am on October 7, 2026, and arrived at Margao Railway Station at 8 am on October 8. An Omni vehicle carrying the meat from the railway station was intercepted by FDA officials during the operation.
The surveillance drives form part of the FDA’s efforts to monitor food safety standards, enforce hygiene and labelling requirements, and prevent unsafe food products from reaching consumers.
The FDA has continued its inspections across different locations to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and safeguard public health.
