Team Goemkarponn
CALANGUTE: The North Goa Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted a series of surprise inspections in Bicholim and Calangute on Monday, targeting food establishments for hygiene and licensing compliance. During the operation, six premises were inspected. Improvement notices were issued to four of them, one establishment in Keri was ordered to shut down due to unhygienic conditions, and a frozen dessert manufacturer was fined ₹5,000 for non-compliance with food safety standards.
In a major enforcement action, the FDA team cracked down on a supplier of chocolate analogue who was operating without a valid license. The supplier was found to be misleading both authorities and consumers by using a false address on product labels and invoices — a deliberate attempt to evade regulatory scrutiny. Acting on prior intelligence, FDA officers posed as potential buyers and tracked the unlicensed operation to a unit located in the IDA Maria Resort building near HDFC Bank in Calangute. The business, identified as Mahima Traders and owned by one Gaurav Lakhana, was engaged in the distribution and repackaging of chocolate analogue and other products. The owner was reportedly non-cooperative during the inspection.The inspection team included Richard Noronha, Designated Officer, along with Rajaram Patil, Darlan Diukar, Budho Gurav, Amit Mandrekar, Sneha Gaude, and Nousin Mulla. The FDA has reiterated its commitment to taking strict action against food business operators flouting safety regulations and assured that similar drives will continue in the interest of public health and consumer safety.
