Goan Reporter: FDA Cracks Down on Unhygienic Meat Shops and Chemically Ripened Fruits in Bardez

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) continued its robust surveillance in Bardez today, inspecting six roadside meat shops in Karaswada and Thivim. Two of these shops were directed to cease operations due to unhygienic practices, while the remaining were issued improvement notices. In Calangute, two outlets selling shawarma and chicken lollipop containing excessive food colouring were instructed to destroy the food items in the interest of public health. Acting on a tip-off and in view of the upcoming Vatapurnima, FDA officials conducted checks at the Mapusa Market Yard. Ten stalls were inspected, and 1.5 tons of bananas at Stall S-39, operated by a vendor named Mohammed, were found to be laced with a suspicious liquid. The stall, along with the stock, was sealed, and samples were taken to confirm the use of ripening chemicals. If tests return positive, the stock will be destroyed and the market committee will be advised to evict the vendor. Additionally, 250 kg of bananas linked to Shrinivas Kademani, found on a “sopo,” were also suspected to be treated with similar chemicals and were destroyed immediately in the interest of public safety. Samples of bananas and mangoes were also collected from other premises for routine checks. The inspection drive was led by officials Richard Noronha, Rajaram Patil, Amit Mandrekar, and Darlan Diukar, under the guidance of FDA Director Shweta Dessai.