Panaji: The Goa Health Department has confirmed that rigorous 24×7 inspections of fish and other consumable items are being carried out at key entry points into the State by the Quality Council of India (QCI), with random checks also conducted by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
In a written reply to Unstarred LAQ No. 122 tabled by MLA Viresh Borkar, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane informed the House that a total of 1,735 fish inspections were conducted over the past two months at the Pollem and Patradevi checkposts, along with over 3,500 checks at the SGPDA Wholesale Market in Margao.
The FDA conducted 30 spot inspections at the border posts during this period, collecting 62 fish samples from Patradevi and 49 from Pollem. In addition, 253 vegetable and 152 fruit samples were collected randomly from the open market and sent for testing to the FDA laboratory and NABL-accredited labs approved by FSSAI.
The inspections, however, yielded no detection of formalin, ammonia, or any other chemical adulterants in the past five months, the Minister confirmed.
While exact staffing details were not specified in the reply, the Minister noted that the QCI is officially tasked with the responsibility of manning and conducting checks at the border checkpoints in both North and South Goa. Details of staff strength and designations have been appended as Annexure A in the official response.
