Team Goemkarponn
SIOLIM: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has destroyed nearly 1,500 kg of processed chicken and ordered the closure of an unlicensed chicken processing outlet in Siolim following an early-morning surveillance drive.
The inspection was conducted after traceability checks based on information gathered from hotels led the FDA team to an outlet operated by Hassan Bepari under the name *Ample Fresh Chicken*.
According to the FDA, the outlet was processing and distributing chicken without a valid FSSAI licence and under unhygienic conditions. In the interest of public health, approximately 1,500 kg of processed chicken was destroyed, and the unit was directed to stop operations. A case has also been filed against the food business operator.
During the drive, officials found that the same operator was preparing biryani in an adjoining room and supplying it to his outlet in Porvorim. The kitchen was also ordered to shut down.
The FDA team also inspected another supplier, identified as *Siolimchick*. During the investigation, one of its suppliers, *Riya Farms*, located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, was found to be supplying chicken under a restaurant licence, according to the department.
The FDA said it had communicated the matter to the Maharashtra FDA Commissioner, seeking appropriate action against Riya Farms.
Following the inspections, the department directed all chicken vendors to verify the source of their poultry and ensure that supplies are procured only from FSSAI-registered or licensed vendors.
Restaurants have also been asked to exercise due diligence while purchasing chicken. The FDA warned that food business operators could be held liable under Section 26 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, for failing to comply with the prescribed requirements.
The surveillance drive was conducted by Designated Officer (North) Richard Noronha, Food Safety Officers Amit Mandrekar, Pradiksha Chopdekar and Darlan Diukar, along with staff members Sandeep Shelke and Sudhakar Parsekar, under the guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai.
