Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Reinforcing its commitment to food safety and hygiene, the South Goa Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted an extensive enforcement drive across Salcete, Ponda, and Mormugao on July 7, 2025.
Several food outlets and manufacturing units were inspected for hygiene compliance and violations, with strict action taken where necessary.
At Upper Bazaar, Ponda, M/s Bangalore Bakery was found to have flies on the premises. The Food Business Operator (FBO) was instructed to immediately carry out pest control measures, submit sanitary cards of food handlers, and rectify other deficiencies listed in the inspection report.
SLJ Bakery, a manufacturing unit at Curti, Ponda, was found operating in unhygienic conditions. The FBO voluntarily suspended operations pending corrective measures and clearance by the FDA.
Expired and unlabelled items, including tomato chakris, were found and destroyed on-site. Surveillance samples of five varieties of cakes were collected for analysis.
In response to a complaint, officials inspected a food outlet at Kurtarkar Nagari, Ponda, where the FBO was asked to clear waste materials and maintain cleanliness. Two biscuit samples were collected, and a compliance report was issued.
At Mormugao, FDA officials visited Bangalore Bakery in Sancole and found several deficiencies, including broken tiles, uncovered dustbins, and exposed food items. The FBO voluntarily discarded the open items and was ordered to fix the remaining issues. Meanwhile, Bangalore Bakery in Dabolim was found operating under satisfactory hygienic conditions.
In Salcete, three Bangalore Bakery manufacturing units located at Rumdamol, Sao Jose de Areal, and Arlem were inspected. Two units were ordered to cease operations due to poor hygiene and absence of valid FSSAI licenses. Expired and unlabelled food items, including farsan and tutty fruity, were seized and destroyed.
The FDA also conducted four additional risk-based inspections and directed concerned FBOs to address the listed shortcomings. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing strict hygiene protocols to protect public health and maintain food safety standards across the state.
